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

חֲמִשִּׁ֑ים fifty H2572 · TWOT 686c
אֲחֵרִ֑ים another H312 · TWOT 68a
רִכְבּֽ chariotry H7393 · TWOT 2163a
כַּרְמֵי vineyard H3754 · TWOT 1040a
שֹׁ֔חַד present H7810 · TWOT 2359a

People & Context

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…

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.

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…

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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