1 Samuel 8:1-6

1 And it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abiah; they were judges in Beersheba.

3 And his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after greed, receiving bribes and perverting that which is right.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel in Ramah

5 and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons do not walk in thy ways; therefore make us a king to judge us like all the Gentiles.

6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 8

This chapter relates, how that Samuel being old, and his sons behaving ill, the people desired to have a king set over them, 1Sa 8:1-5, which case Samuel laid before the Lord, and he was directed by him to yield to the people's desire, but at the same time to set before them all the disadvantages and ill consequences that would arise from thence, which he did, 1Sa 8:6-18, but they insisting upon it, nevertheless, he gave them reason to expect that their request would be granted, 1Sa 8:19-22.