Character and Legacy of Samuel's Sons in Scripture
Samuel, a prominent judge and prophet in ancient Israel, had two sons, Joel and Abijah, who served as judges but whose conduct diverged significantly from their father's righteous example [3, 1]. The books of Samuel, which recount the establishment of the Hebrew monarchy, begin with the history of Eli and Samuel [4]. Samuel himself was dedicated to the Lord from a young age and ministered before Eli [3].
The First Book of Samuel records that when Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel [1 Samuel 8:1]. Joel was his firstborn, and Abijah was the second [1, 2]. They judged in Beersheba [1 Samuel 8:2]. However, the biblical text states that Samuel's sons "walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment" [1 Samuel 8:3]. This corruption among his sons led the elders of Israel to approach Samuel and demand a king to rule over them, like all the other nations [1 Samuel 8:4-5]. This request marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, transitioning from a period of judges to a monarchy.
Rabbinic tradition offers a nuanced perspective on the character of Samuel's sons. The Babylonian Talmud suggests that while Joel and Abijah "walked not in his ways," this does not necessarily mean they sinned. Instead, it implies they were not their father's equals in righteousness, but they were not outright sinners [8]. This interpretation distinguishes between failing to live up to a parent's high standards and actively engaging in wickedness.
Genealogical records in 1 Chronicles further confirm the lineage of Samuel's sons. 1 Chronicles 6:28 explicitly names "the sons of Samuel: the firstborn Joel, and the second Abijah" [1]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:16, traces Samuel's lineage through Kohath, noting that the genealogy is extended to include Samuel the prophet [6]. He also mentions Joel as Samuel's son [6]. Similarly, Keil & Delitzsch's commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:16 identifies Joel as Samuel's son, noting a potential textual variation where "Shaul" in 1 Chronicles 6:36 is understood to be Joel [7]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown also address this, suggesting that "Vashni" in 1 Chronicles 6:28 might be a scribal error for "and the second," with Joel being the firstborn [9].
The legacy of Samuel's sons is primarily defined by their failure to uphold justice, which precipitated the demand for a king. This event is a significant turning point in the narrative of Israel, leading to the anointing of Saul as the first king [1 Samuel 9-10]. Despite their shortcomings, their existence and role as judges are consistently affirmed in biblical genealogies and historical accounts [1, 2, 5]. The narrative surrounding Joel and Abijah serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of leadership and the potential for corruption, even within the families of righteous individuals.
Sources
- 1 Chronicles “The sons of Samuel: the firstborn Joel, and the second Abijah. -- 1 Chronicles 6:28”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 6:28 (LEB) — The sons of Samuel: Joel his firstborn and Abijah the second.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Samuel — was the son of Elkanah and Hannah, and was born at Ramathaim-zophim, among the hills of Ephraim. [[1040]Ramah No. 2] (B.C. 1171.) Before his birth he was dedicated by his mother to the office of a Nazarite and when a young child, 12 years old according to Josephus he was placed in the temple, and ministered unto the Lord before Eli." It was while here that he received his first prophetic call. (1 Samuel 3:1-18) He next appears, probably twenty years afterward, suddenly among the people, warning them against their idolatrous practices. (1 Samuel 7:3,4) Then fo”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Samuel, Books Of — are not separated from each other in the Hebrew MSS., and, from a critical point of view, must be regarded as one book. The present, division was first made in the Septuagint translation, and was adopted in the Vulgate from the Septuagint. The book was called by the Hebrews: "Samuel," probably because the birth and life of Samuel were the subjects treated of in the beginning of the work. The books of Samuel commence with the history of Eli and Samuel, and contain all account of the establishment of the Hebrew monarchy and of the reigns of Saul and D”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joel — (to whom Jehovah is God). + Eldest son of Samuel the prophet, (1 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 6:33; 15:17) and father of Heman the singer. (B.C. 1094.) + In (1 Chronicles 6:36) Authorized Version, Joel seems to be merely a corruption of Shaul in ver. 24. + A Simeonite chief. (1 Chronicles 4:35) + A descendant of Reuben. Junius and Tremellius make him the son of Hanoeh, while others trace his descent through Carmi. (1 Chronicles 5:4) (B.C. before 1092.) + Chief of the Gadites, who dwelt in the land of Bashan. (1 Chronicles 5:12) (B.C. 782.) + The son of Izrahiah, of”
- 1 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Chronicles 6:16: The sons of Kohath, Amminadab,.... The same with Izhar, Ch1 6:2 the posterity of his brethren, Amram, Hebron, and Uzziel, are omitted; and his genealogy is carried to a considerable length, for the sake of Samuel the prophet, who sprang from him: it stands thus, Korah, Assir, Elkanah, Ebiasaph, Assir, Tahath, Uriel, called Zephaniah, Ch1 6:36 Uzziah, the same with Azariah, Ch1 6:36. Shaul, whose name is Joel, Ch1 6:36 then through the sons of Elkanah, before mentioned, Amasai, Ahimoth, called Mahath, Ch1 6:35 another Elkanah, Zophai, or Zuph, Ch1 6:35. Nahath, t”
- 1 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 6:16: The sons of Kohath, Amminadab,.... The same with Izhar, Ch1 6:2 the posterity of his brethren, Amram, Hebron, and Uzziel, are omitted; and his genealogy is carried to a considerable length, for the sake of Samuel the prophet, who sprang from him: it stands thus, Korah, Assir, Elkanah, Ebiasaph, Assir, Tahath, Uriel, called Zephaniah, Ch1 6:36 Uzziah, the same with Azariah, Ch1 6:36. Shaul, whose name is Joel, Ch1 6:36 then through the sons of Elkanah, before mentioned, Amasai, Ahimoth, called Mahath, Ch1 6:35 another Elkanah, Zophai, or Zuph, Ch1 6:35. Na”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 56a.1: that the sons of Samuel sinned is nothing other than mistaken, as it is stated: “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel… And his sons walked not in his ways but sought after unjust gain, and took bribes, and perverted justice” (I Samuel 8:1–3). By inference: In his ways they did not walk, however, they did not sin either. They were not the equals of their father, but they were not sinners.”
- 1 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Chronicles 6:28: the sons of Samuel--The sons of Samuel are here named Vashni and Abiah. The first-born is called Joel (Sa1 8:2); and this name is given to him in Ch1 6:33. It is now generally thought by the best critics that, through an error of the copyists, an omission has been made of the oldest son's name, and that Vashni, which is not the name of a person, merely signifies "and the second." This critical emendation of the text makes all clear, as well as consistent with other passages relating to the family of Samuel.”