1 Samuel 8 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

The evil government of Samuel's sons.

It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges, they turned aside after lucre. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites. (1Sa 8:4-9)