1 Samuel 8:1-5 ▼

1 In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beer Sheba.

3 But his sons did not follow his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah.

5 They said to him, |Look, you are old, and your sons don't follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.|