1 Samuel 8:4

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

1 Samuel 8:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel.
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah.
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 Then all the leaders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 So all of the elders of Israel gathered together. They came to Samuel at Ramah.

1 Samuel 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 8:4

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together,
&c.] At some place of rendezvous appointed; these were the heads of the tribes, and fathers of the houses and families of Israel, the principal persons of age and authority:

and came to Samuel unto Ramah;
the place of his nativity and abode, and where he now dwelt, and judged Israel; they went in a very respectable body with an address to him.

1 Samuel 8:4 In-Context

2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba.
3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.
4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Judges 11:11; 1 Samuel 11:3
  • 2. S 1 Samuel 7:17
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