1 Samuel 8:4

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,

1 Samuel 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 8:4

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together,
&c.] At some place of rendezvous appointed; these were the heads of the tribes, and fathers of the houses and families of Israel, the principal persons of age and authority:

and came to Samuel unto Ramah;
the place of his nativity and abode, and where he now dwelt, and judged Israel; they went in a very respectable body with an address to him.

1 Samuel 8:4 In-Context

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.

3 Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,

5 and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations."

6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to govern us." Samuel prayed to the Lord,