2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba.

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 8:2

King James Version

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

English Standard Version

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.

The Message

2 His firstborn son was named Joel, the name of his second, Abijah. They were assigned duty in Beersheba.

New King James Version

2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.

New Living Translation

2 Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:2

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.