Keraia
1 Samuel 8

1 Samuel 8:2

Israel Demands a King · 1 Samuel 8:1–9
Read 1 Samuel 8

Translations

Modern
The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
Traditional
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer–sheba.
Literal
And the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second Abijah—judges in Beersheba.
Latin
Fuitque nomen filii ejus primogeniti Joël: et nomen secundi Abia, judicum in Bersabee.

Original

Hebrew
English
The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

Notes

1 Samuel 8:2

Samuel’s two oldest sons served as judges in Beersheba, which is 80.5 kilometers (50 miles) south of their father's home.

1 Samuel 8:1–12:25

When Israel was changing to a monarchy (rule by kings), neither God (1 Samuel 8:7–9) nor Samuel (1 Samuel 12:1–25) liked the people's request for a king. Saul, the first king (1 Samuel 9–11), did not succeed in his role (1 Samuel 13–31) and proved Samuel's warnings true (see 1 Samuel 8:10–18; compare 1 Samuel 16:1–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Bribery and Gifts

Parallels

Deuteronomy 17:14–20

People

Abijah: Son of Samuel, a corrupt judge Joel: Samuel's firstborn son who judged Israel

Places

Beersheba: Important city in southern Israel, associated with the patriarchs

Glossary

Abiah Abijah Beersheba Joel (Person) Judah, Tribe of Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abia: Son of Samuel Beer-Sheba: The Most Southern City of Palestine: Two Sons of Samuel Were Judges At Christian Minister: Samuel's Sons Joel: Son of Samuel Judge: Corrupt: Samuel's Sons Judge: Samson: The Sons of Samuel Rulers: Wicked: Samuel's Sons, Taking Bribes Samuel: Makes his Corrupt Sons Judges in Israel