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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 8:2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/8-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/09_1Sa_08_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 8:2 - Israel Demands a King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. 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They were judges in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: <i>they were</i> judges in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; <i>they were</i> judges in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; <i>they were</i> judging in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the name of his first-born was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; <i>they</i> were judging in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; <i>they</i> were judging in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />His firstborn son’s name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />His firstborn son&#8217s name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn son was Joel; the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The older son was named Joel and the younger one Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn son was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beer Sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the name of his firstborn son is Joel, and the name of his second Abiah, judges in Beer-Sheba:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the name of his first-born son is Joel, and the name of his second Abiah, judges in Beer-Sheba:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the name of his son the firstborn will be Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: judges at the Well of the Oath.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel: and the name of the second was Abia, judges in Bersabee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of the second was Abijah: judges at Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />His firstborn was named Joel, his second son, Abijah; they judged at Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now the name of his first-born son was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abia; they were Judges in Beersheba<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And these <i>are</i> the names of his sons; Joel the first-born, and the name of the second Abia, judges in Bersabee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/8-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1825" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Israel Demands a King</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šem- (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">The name</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: hab·bə·ḵō·wr (Art:: N-ms) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">of his firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3100.htm" title="3100: yō·w·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From Yhovah and 'el; Jehovah God; Joel, the name of twelve Israelites.">Joel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">and the name</a> <a href="/hebrew/4932.htm" title="4932: miš·nê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A double, copy, second. From shanah; properly, a repetition, i.e. A duplicate, or a double; by implication, a second.">of his second</a> <a href="/hebrew/29.htm" title="29: ’ă·ḇî·yāh (N-proper-ms) -- Or prolonged Abiyahuw; from 'ab and Yahh; father of Jah; Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses.">was Abijah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: šō·p̄ə·ṭîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To judge, govern. ">They were judges</a> <a href="/hebrew/884.htm" title="884: biḇ·’êr (Prep) -- Well of seven, a place in the Negev. From 'er and sheba'; well of an oath; Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/884.htm" title="884: šā·ḇa‘ (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- Well of seven, a place in the Negev. From 'er and sheba'; well of an oath; Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine.">in Beersheba.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-1.htm">1 Kings 12:1-20</a></span><br />Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12</a></span><br />But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14-20</a></span><br />When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Hosea 13:10-11</a></span><br />Where is your king now to save you in all your cities, and the rulers to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? / So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/8-22.htm">Judges 8:22-23</a></span><br />Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” / But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-19.htm">1 Samuel 10:19</a></span><br />But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-17.htm">1 Samuel 12:17-19</a></span><br />Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.” / So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. / They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-15.htm">1 Samuel 7:15-17</a></span><br />So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. / Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. / Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">1 Samuel 9:1-2</a></span><br />Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a></span><br />Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">1 Samuel 11:14-15</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">1 Samuel 13:13-14</a></span><br />“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22-23</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21-22</a></span><br />Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.</p><p class="hdg">Joel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/6-28.htm">1 Chronicles 6:28,38</a></b></br> And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah… </p><p class="hdg">Vashni </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/7-8.htm">Abiah</a> <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Abijah</a> <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Abi'jah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-20.htm">Beersheba</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-20.htm">Beer-Sheba</a> <a href="/acts/2-16.htm">Joel</a> <a href="/nehemiah/11-9.htm">Jo'el</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-17.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-16.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">Second</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-4.htm">Served</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/2-24.htm">Abiah</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-1.htm">Abijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-1.htm">Abi'jah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-10.htm">Beersheba</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-10.htm">Beer-Sheba</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-35.htm">Joel</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-35.htm">Jo'el</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-20.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-11.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Second</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-8.htm">Served</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">Samuel praying in grief is comforted by God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-10.htm">He tells the manner of a king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">God wills Samuel to yield unto the importunity of the people</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The name of his firstborn son was Joel</b><br>Joel, meaning "Yahweh is God," reflects the religious heritage and expectations placed upon Samuel's sons. Names in biblical times often carried significant meaning, indicating the parents' faith or hopes for their children. Joel's name suggests a recognition of God's sovereignty, which is ironic given the later actions of Samuel's sons. This name is also shared by the prophet Joel, who authored the Book of Joel, emphasizing the importance of divine judgment and repentance.<p><b>and the name of his second was Abijah</b><br>Abijah means "My Father is Yahweh," further emphasizing the spiritual legacy intended by Samuel. This name underscores the expectation that Abijah would follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a faithful servant of God. The name Abijah is also found in other parts of the Bible, such as in the lineage of the kings of Judah, indicating its common use and the hope for leadership and faithfulness.<p><b>They were judges in Beersheba</b><br>Beersheba, located in the southern part of Israel, was a significant city in biblical history, often marking the southern boundary of the Promised Land. It was a place of covenant and worship, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac. The role of judges was to provide leadership and maintain justice, yet the context of <a href="/1_samuel/8.htm">1 Samuel 8</a> reveals that Samuel's sons did not walk in his ways, leading to corruption and dissatisfaction among the Israelites. This failure contributed to the people's demand for a king, setting the stage for the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. The location of Beersheba, far from the central religious sites, may have contributed to their isolation and subsequent moral decline.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>A prophet and judge over Israel, who was instrumental in transitioning Israel from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joel.htm">Joel</a></b><br>The firstborn son of Samuel, who served as a judge in Beersheba. His name means "Yahweh is God."<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abijah.htm">Abijah</a></b><br>The second son of Samuel, also serving as a judge in Beersheba. His name means "My Father is Yahweh."<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a></b><br>Leaders who were appointed to govern and provide justice for the people of Israel before the establishment of the monarchy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/beersheba.htm">Beersheba</a></b><br>A significant city in the southern part of Israel, often considered the southern boundary of the land of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>The role of a judge was to lead with integrity and justice. Joel and Abijah's failure in this role serves as a reminder of the importance of godly leadership in all areas of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a></b><br>Despite Samuel's faithfulness, his sons did not follow his example. This highlights the challenge of passing on faith and values to the next generation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_corruption.htm">The Consequences of Corruption</a></b><br>The corruption of Samuel's sons led to a significant shift in Israel's governance. This teaches us that personal failings can have wide-reaching impacts on communities and nations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_will.htm">Seeking God's Will</a></b><br>The people's demand for a king was partly due to the failure of Samuel's sons. This reminds us to seek God's will and guidance, especially when faced with leadership failures.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_sam_8_conflict_with_2_sam_7.htm">Why does 1 Samuel 8 conflict with later passages that seem to affirm kingship, such as 2 Samuel 7?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_is_beersheba_in_the_bible.htm">Where is Beersheba mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_chron_18_4_vs_2_sam_8_4__7,000_or_1,700.htm">In 1 Chronicles 18:4, how do we reconcile the figure of 7,000 horsemen with 2 Samuel 8:4, which mentions 1,700 instead?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_david's_temple_ban_reason_given.htm">Why does God forbid David from building the temple in 1 Chronicles 22:8 but never give that explicit reason in the parallel accounts (e.g., 2 Samuel 7)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The name of his firstborn was Joel.</span> The names of Samuel's sons are pledges of his faith - Joel meaning <span class="accented">Jehovah is God</span>, and Abiah <span class="accented">Jab is Father.</span> The name given in <a href="/1_chronicles/6-28.htm">1 Chronicles 6:28</a>, <span class="accented">Vashni</span>, is a mistake. It means, "and the second," the name of Joel the firstborn having somehow been omitted. The names of Saul's sons, and even of Jonathan's, unlike those in Samuel's family, bear witness to their religion having been of a curiously mixed character. <span class="cmt_word">In Beer-sheba.</span> Not, therefore, in any of the places to which Samuel went in person, and which were all near Ramah, his home. Beer-sheba was in the extreme south of the tribe of Judah (see on Genesis 21:31), on the Philistine border, and his being able to place his sons there in authority proves, not merely that his rule was acknowledged throughout the whole country, but also that the Philistines did not interfere much with the internal arrangements of the Israelites. Josephus ('Antiq.,' 6:3, 2) represents only one son as placed at Beer-sheba, and says that the other was judge at Dan, but it may be doubted whether the northern tribes were sufficiently under control to submit to be governed by a southern judge. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/8-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The name</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁם־</span> <span class="translit">(šem-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his firstborn</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּכוֹר֙</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·ḵō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firstborn, chief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנ֤וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֞י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3100.htm">Strong's 3100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joel -- probably 'the LORD is God', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the name</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֵׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his second</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁנֵ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(miš·nê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4932.htm">Strong's 4932: </a> </span><span class="str2">A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was Abijah.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִיָּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_29.htm">Strong's 29: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abijah -- 'Yah is my father', an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They were judges</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁפְטִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(šō·p̄ə·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Beersheba.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁבַע׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_884.htm">Strong's 884: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beersheba -- 'well of seven', a place in the Negev</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/8-2.htm">1 Samuel 8:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/8-2.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>