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1 Samuel 8:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 8:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
1 Samuel 8:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
2Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice.
4Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah;
5and they said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
← 1 Samuel 8:11 Samuel 8:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, etc.] In (<130628>1 Chronicles 6:28) he is called Vashni; (see Gill on “<130628>1 Chronicles 6:28”). This was not Joel the prophet, as some have thought, neither his parentage, nor his office, nor his times, will agree with this: and the name of his second Abiah: which two sons seem to be all he had: they were judges in Beersheba; in the utmost border of the land, to the south, as Ramah, where Samuel dwelt and judged, was more to the north; where they were placed by their father, for the greater convenience of the people of Israel that lived southward, to bring their causes to them, as those lived more northward might bring them to him: according to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The mention of Beer-sheba, on the extreme southern frontier of Judah, as the place where Samuel’s sons judged Israel is remarkable. It was probably due to the recovery of territory from the usurpation of the Philistines 1 Samuel 7:14. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Beer - sheba - In the southern border of the land of Canaan, which were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places Samuel himself still executing the office of judge. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:2 Samuel’s two oldest sons functioned as judges in Beersheba, fifty miles south of their father’s home.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Joel: Ch1 6:28, Ch1 6:38, Vashni 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:3”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification