1 Samuel 8:1-5 ▼

1 Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.

3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice.

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

5 and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.”