1 Samuel 8

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 8 of 31

1 And it happened when Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 And the name of his first-born was Joel, and the name of his second, Abiah, judges in Beer-sheba.

3 And his sons did not walk in his ways, and turned aside after dishonest gain, and took a bribe, and perverted judgment.

4 And all the elders of Israel gathered and came in to Samuel, to Ramah.

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Chapter Summary

Because of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask for a king. Samuel prays and is comforted by Jehovah. He tells the manner of a king. Jehovah wills Samuel to yield to the importunity of the people.

Key Hebrew Words

מֶ֫לֶךְ king H4428 · TWOT 1199a
מָלַךְ reign, be king H4427 · TWOT 1200
מָאַס reject H3988 · TWOT 1139
שָׁפַט judge, govern H8199 · TWOT 2443
בֶּ֫צַע dishonest gain H1215 · TWOT 267a
שֹׁ֫חַד bribe H7810 · TWOT 2359a

People & Context

Samuel

Aged prophet whose sons fail; he warns Israel of a king's ways and prays to Jehovah over their demand

Joel

Firstborn son of Samuel, made a judge in Beer-sheba, who turned aside after gain

Abiah

Second son of Samuel, made a judge in Beer-sheba, who took bribes and perverted judgment

Timeline

Samuel Appoints Corrupt Sons

Samuel grows old and makes his sons, Joel and Abiah, judges in Beer-sheba, but they turn aside after dishonest gain, take bribes, and pervert judgment.

1 Samuel 8:1-3
Israel Demands a King

All the elders of Israel gather and come to Samuel in Ramah, demanding that he appoint a king to judge them like all the other nations.

1 Samuel 8:4-5
Samuel Prays and Jehovah Responds

Displeased by their demand, Samuel prays to Jehovah, who tells him to listen to the people because they have rejected God from reigning over them, not Samuel.

1 Samuel 8:6-9

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