1 Samuel 8:2

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

Study Helps

Interpretation

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.

Read with

This thought runs through 1 Samuel 8:1-3.

1 Samuel 8:1 1 Samuel 8:2 1 Samuel 8:3

Glossary

Beersheba Place: Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact ( Gen. 21:31 ). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name ( Gen. 26:31-33 ). Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.
Joel Person: Jehovah is his God. (1. ) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba ( 1 Sam. 8:2 ). (See VASHNI. ) (2. ) A descendant of Reuben ( 1 Chr. 5:4 , 8). (3. ) One of David’s famous warriors.