*1 Samuel 8:1-5
The Israelites, dissatisfied with Samuel’s sons as judges, request a king to rule them like other nations.
- Israel’s Desire for a King:
- As Samuel grows old, he appoints his sons as judges over Israel, but they do not follow in his ways and are corrupt, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
- The elders of Israel come to Samuel at Ramah and express their discontent with his sons’ leadership, demanding that Samuel appoint a king to rule over them like all the other nations.
8:1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 8:5 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.