Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even though Samuel was a deeply faithful leader, his sons' corruption shows that faithfulness isn't always inherited; true spiritual legacy comes from choosing God's ways, not just being born into a godly family. This reveals that the next generation always has a choice about which path to follow, no matter how righteous their parents were.
Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Samuel’s sons, appointed to succeed him, unfortunately followed a different path, driven by greed and crooked dealings. This stark contrast to their father's righteous leadership, and the people's subsequent demand for a king, sets the stage for the transition from the era of judges to the monarchy. Their corruption directly fuels the Israelites' desire for a king like the surrounding nations, a decision God Himself expresses disappointment in.
Even those raised in godly households can stray. What pulls them away from righteousness?
Samuel was a man of integrity, a prophet deeply connected to God. Yet, his sons, Joel and Abijah, didn't follow his faithful example. The verse pinpoints their downfall: they 'turned aside after gain.' This wasn't just a casual mistake; it was a deliberate turning towards something that promised personal enrichment, even at the expense of others.
The Seduction of Self-Interest
This 'gain' often starts small – a little extra here, a shortcut there. But unchecked, it corrupts the heart and distorts judgment. It's the seductive whisper that 'the rules don't apply to me' or 'everyone else is doing it.' The Bible warns us repeatedly about the dangers of loving money and seeking illicit profit, as it can become a root of many evils.
What happens when the very people meant to uphold fairness twist the law for their own benefit?
Samuel's sons didn't just seek personal wealth; they actively 'took bribes and perverted justice.' This is a grave offense because judges and leaders are entrusted with God's people and His law. When they pervert justice, they aren't just hurting individuals; they are undermining the very foundation of a just society and, more importantly, they are acting against God's commands for fairness and righteousness.
The Ripple Effect of Unrighteousness
Their actions created a deep crisis. The people of Israel saw this corruption and likely lost faith not only in Samuel's sons but also in the leadership and perhaps even in God's care for them. This breakdown of trust paved the way for Israel's demand for a king, a pivotal moment in their history, driven by a desire for a different kind of leadership they believed would bring justice.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
derek · Hebrew Noun
A habitual course of conduct, lifestyle, or moral character. Walking in someone's ways implies imitating their ethical, spiritual, and religious patterns of life as established by God's Law.
betsa · Hebrew Noun
Dishonest profit or illicit financial gain acquired through corruption. It suggests a departure from covenant integrity, prioritizing worldly wealth over the justice mandated by God.
shochad · Hebrew Noun
A payment or gift offered to a judge or official to influence a verdict or decision dishonestly. Scripture strictly forbids bribery as it blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.
natah mishpat · Hebrew Verb
The act of twisting, corrupting, or turning aside that which is right and fair. In biblical law, perverting justice is an affront to God, who is the ultimate Judge and the standard of perfect righteousness.
The verse highlights a critical moment of disillusionment not only with the sons of the revered judge Samuel but also with the nascent institution of kingship itself, mirroring Israel's complex journey away from divinely appointed leadership.
c. 1070 BC
Samson's Judgeship Ends
The period of the Judges, characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, concludes around this time, with Samuel being the last and most significant judge.
c. 1050 BC
Samuel's Ministry as Judge
Samuel faithfully serves as Israel's judge, prophet, and priest, providing spiritual and judicial leadership across the tribes.
c. 1043 BC
Israel Demands a King
The elders of Israel, influenced by surrounding nations and perhaps seeking greater military strength, press Samuel to appoint a king over them, a request God grants with a warning.
c. 1043 BC
Saul Anointed King
Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, is secretly anointed by Samuel as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift in the nation's governance.
c. 1030 BC— this verse
Samuel's Sons Judge in Beer-Sheba
Samuel appoints his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges in the southern town of Beer-Sheba, hoping to establish a lasting judicial legacy.
c. 1030 BC
Disappointment with Samuel's Sons
The people are deeply troubled by the corrupt practices of Samuel's sons, who take bribes and pervert justice, leading them to further question the emerging monarchy and God's plan.
This passage highlights the qualities God desires in leaders, contrasting sharply with the corrupt behavior described in 1 Samuel 8:3, showing the ideal that Samuel's sons failed to uphold.
Deuteronomy 16:19This verse explicitly warns against accepting bribes and perverting justice, directly mirroring the sinful actions of Samuel's sons and underscoring the gravity of their offense.
Isaiah 5:20The prophet Isaiah condemns those who call evil good and good evil, a sentiment that echoes the moral confusion and injustice brought about by corrupt leadership, as seen with Samuel's sons.
Micah 3:11This passage pronounces judgment on leaders who teach for hire and prophesy for money, directly illustrating the corrupt practice of 'turning aside after gain' that characterized Eli's sons.
Even though Samuel was a deeply faithful leader, his sons' corruption shows that faithfulness isn't always inherited; true spiritual legacy comes from choosing God's ways, not just being born into a godly family. This reveals that the next generation always has a choice about which path to follow, no matter how righteous their parents were.
Samuel’s sons, appointed to succeed him, unfortunately followed a different path, driven by greed and crooked dealings. This stark contrast to their father's righteous leadership, and the people's subsequent demand for a king, sets the stage for the transition from the era of judges to the monarchy. Their corruption directly fuels the Israelites' desire for a king like the surrounding nations, a decision God Himself expresses disappointment in.
Samuel’s sons, appointed to succeed him, unfortunately followed a different path, driven by greed and crooked dealings. This stark contrast to their father's righteous leadership, and the people's subsequent demand for a king, sets the stage for the transition from the era of judges to the monarchy. Their corruption directly fuels the Israelites' desire for a king like the surrounding nations, a decision God Himself expresses disappointment in.
"Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice." — Even though Samuel was a deeply faithful leader, his sons' corruption shows that faithfulness isn't always inherited; true spiritual legacy comes from choosing God's ways, not just being born into a…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026