1 Samuel 8:4

Then all the Elders of Israel gathered themselues together, and came to Samuel vnto Ramah,
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;
- New American Standard Version (1995)

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah;
- American Standard Version (1901)

Then all the responsible men of Israel got together and went to Samuel at Ramah,
- Basic English Bible

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah,
- Darby Bible

Then all the elders of Israel assembled, and came to Samuel to Ramah,
- Webster's Bible

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah;
- World English Bible

And all the elders of Israel gather themselves together, and come in unto Samuel to Ramath,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for 1 Samuel 8:4

8:2 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.

8:3 Took bribes - Opportunity and temptation discovered that corruption in them which 'till now was hid from their father. It has often been the grief of holy men, that their children did not tread in their steps. So far from it, that the sons of eminently good men, have been often eminently wicked.

8:5 A king - Their desires exceed their reasons, which extended no farther than to the removal of Samuel's sons from their places, and the procuring some other just: and prudent assistance to Samuel's age. Nor was the grant of their desire a remedy for their disease, but rather an aggravation of it. For the sons of their king were likely to he as corrupt as Samuel's sons and, if they were, would not be so easily removed. Like other nations - That is, as most of the nations about us have. But there was not the like reason; because God had separated them from all other nations, and cautioned them against the imitation of their examples, and had taken them into his own immediate care and government; which privilege other nations had not.

8:6 Displeased - Because God was hereby dishonoured by that distrust of him, and that ambition, and itch after changes, which were the manifest causes of this desire; and because of that great misery, which he foresaw the people would hereby bring upon themselves. Prayed - For the pardon of their sin, and direction and help from God in this great affair.