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1 Samuel 8:1

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¶ And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

And it came to pass, when Samuel {H8050} was old {H2204}, that he made {H7760} his sons {H1121} judges {H8199} over Israel {H3478}.

When Sh'mu'el grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Isra'el.

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

Commentary

1 Samuel 8:1 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, signaling the twilight of the era of judges and the dawn of monarchy. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic shift in Israel's leadership structure, driven by human failings and a people's desire for change.

Context

The prophet Samuel was the last of the great judges who led Israel after the time of Moses and Joshua. His ministry spanned a significant period of transition, marked by his unparalleled devotion to God and his role in delivering Israel from the Philistines. As Samuel aged, a natural concern for succession arose. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, it was common for leadership to be passed down through family lines. Samuel, following this custom, appointed his sons, Joel and Abiah, to serve as judges. However, unlike their father, Samuel's sons would prove to be corrupt, igniting the people's desire for a king, as detailed in 1 Samuel 8:5.

Key Themes

  • Leadership Transition and Succession: This verse highlights the challenges inherent in passing on spiritual and political authority. Samuel's attempt to establish a hereditary judgeship ultimately failed due to his sons' character.
  • The Nature of Godly Leadership: While Samuel himself was an exemplary leader, his sons' subsequent actions (detailed in 1 Samuel 8:3) underscore that true leadership is not merely inherited but requires personal integrity, righteousness, and a commitment to justice.
  • The End of an Era: The aging of Samuel and the appointment of his sons mark the effective end of the period of the "judges" (Hebrew: shofetim), who were charismatic leaders raised up by God to deliver and govern Israel, as seen throughout the Book of Judges. This sets the stage for the establishment of a monarchy.

Linguistic Insights

The term "judges" (Hebrew: shofetim) here refers to more than just legal arbiters. In ancient Israel, these individuals served as military deliverers, spiritual leaders, and civic administrators, guiding the nation in times of crisis and maintaining justice. Their authority was seen as divinely appointed. Samuel's role as a judge was unique, combining prophetic and priestly functions, beginning from his early calling as seen in 1 Samuel 3:1.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of character in leadership. It illustrates that even the most devoted parents cannot guarantee the integrity of their children, especially when placed in positions of power. For believers today, it emphasizes the necessity of discerning leadership, prioritizing integrity and faithfulness over lineage or personal connections. It also highlights God's sovereignty, as He often works through human decisions and their consequences, even when those choices lead to unforeseen outcomes, ultimately guiding His people towards His larger purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 16:18 (7 votes)

    ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Deuteronomy 16:19 (7 votes)

    Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

  • 1 Timothy 5:21 (5 votes)

    I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

  • Nehemiah 7:2 (4 votes)

    That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he [was] a faithful man, and feared God above many.

  • Judges 12:14 (4 votes)

    And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

  • Judges 8:22 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

  • Judges 8:23 (4 votes)

    And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.