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Israel Seeks a King

In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beer Sheba. But his sons did not follow[a] his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:3 tn Heb “walk in” (also in v. 5).
  2. 1 Samuel 8:3 tn Heb “and they turned aside after unjust gain and took bribes and perverted justice.”

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed(A) his sons as Israel’s leaders.[a] The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah,(B) and they served at Beersheba.(C) But his sons(D) did not follow his ways. They turned aside(E) after dishonest gain and accepted bribes(F) and perverted(G) justice.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:1 Traditionally judges