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II. Establishment of the Monarchy

Chapter 8

Request for a King. [a]In his old age Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel.(A) His firstborn was named Joel, his second son, Abijah; they judged at Beer-sheba. His sons did not follow his example, but looked to their own gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:1–22 From this chapter on, the editors of 1 Samuel provide two and sometimes three perspectives on the same event: e.g., the selection of Saul as king is recounted in chap. 8; 10:17–24; chap. 12.

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed(A) his sons as Israel’s leaders.[a] The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah,(B) and they served at Beersheba.(C) But his sons(D) did not follow his ways. They turned aside(E) after dishonest gain and accepted bribes(F) and perverted(G) justice.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:1 Traditionally judges