1 Samuel 8:4

4 All the leaders of Isra'el gathered themselves together, approached Sh'mu'el in 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 His firstborn was named Yo'el, while his second son was named Aviyah; they were judges in Be'er-Sheva.

3 However, his sons did not follow his way of life; they turned off it to pursue riches, so that they would take bribes to distort justice.

4 All the leaders of Isra'el gathered themselves together, approached Sh'mu'el in Ramah

5 and said to him, "Look, you have grown old, and your sons are not following your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

6 Sh'mu'el was not pleased to hear them say, "Give us a king to judge us"; so he prayed to ADONAI.