Israel Asks for a King

81 And it cometh to pass, when Samuel 'is' aged, that he maketh his sons judges over Israel.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:1

Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:1-3

(Read 1 Samuel 8:1-3)

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. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.