Add parallel Print Page Options

II. Establishment of the Monarchy

Chapter 8

Request for a King. [a]In his old age Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel.(A) His firstborn was named Joel, his second son, Abijah; they judged at Beer-sheba.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 8:1–22 From this chapter on, the editors of 1 Samuel provide two and sometimes three perspectives on the same event: e.g., the selection of Saul as king is recounted in chap. 8; 10:17–24; chap. 12.

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:1 Traditionally judges