Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
What does 1 Samuel 8:2 mean?
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.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside 1 Samuel 8:1-3 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Related topics
Glossary
- Beersheba Place
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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
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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.