Shmuel Alef 8:4

4 Then kol Ziknei Yisroel gathered themselves together, and came to Shmuel unto Ramah,

Shmuel Alef 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.

Shmuel Alef 8:4 In-Context

2 Now the shem of his ben habechor was Yoel; and the shem of his mishneh (second), Aviyah; they were shofetim at Be’er Sheva.

3 And his banim walked not in his drakhim, but turned aside after betza (dishonest gain), and took shochad (bribe[s]), and perverted mishpat (justice).

4 Then kol Ziknei Yisroel gathered themselves together, and came to Shmuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Hinei, thou art old, and thy banim walk not in thy drakhim; now appoint for us a Melech to judge us like kol HaGoyim.

6 But the thing was displeasing in the eyes of Shmuel, when they said, Give us a Melech to judge us. And Shmuel davened unto Hashem.