1 Samuel 8:1–22

1 Samuel 8:1–222 matched frames

Read down to the center, where the pattern turns; then rise back out through its mirror.

A 1-5 Introduction establishing Samuel's aging sons as judges and the people's request for a king to judge us like all the nations.
- B 6-9 Samuel's prayer dialogue with YHWH, featuring the central pivot where God states they have rejected me (v. 8), with corresponding language about rejection and forsaking.
- B' 10-18 Samuel's proclamation of what the king will take, structured through six repeated instances of he will take, culminating in ye shall be his servants.
A' 19-22 The people's refusal and reiteration that they want a king over us to judge us, mirroring the opening request.