1 Samuel 8:4

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves 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 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.

3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre and took bribes and perverted judgment.

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

5 and said unto him, "Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways. Now make us a king to judge us, like all the nations."

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