81 And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel . 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel , and the name of his second , Abijah ; they were judging in Beersheba . 3 His sons , however, did not walk in his ways , but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:1-3
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.