1. When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons to serve as judges for Israel.
2. The name of his oldest son was Joel. The name of his second son was Abijah. They served as judges at Beersheba.
3. But his sons didn't live as he did. They were only interested in making money. They accepted money from people who wanted special favors. They made things that were wrong appear to be right.
4. So all of the elders of Israel gathered together. They came to Samuel at Ramah.