1 Samuel 8:4

4 Then all the leaders 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; the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

3 The sons didn't follow their father's example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice.

4 Then all the leaders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

5 They told him, "You're old, and your sons aren't following your example. Now appoint a king to judge us so that we will be like all the other nations."

6 But Samuel considered it wrong for them to request a king to judge them. So Samuel prayed to the LORD.