Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 8:2
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beer-sheba.
2. Now the name, &c.] Joel = “Jehovah is God:” Abiah = “Jah is my father:” names significant of a protest against the prevalent idolatry. The text of 1Ch 6:28, where the names are given as “the firstborn Vashni and Abiah,” is corrupt. “Joel” has dropped out after “the firstborn,” and “Vashni” is an obvious corruption of the Heb. word meaning “and the second.”
judges in Beer-sheba ] See note on ch. 1Sa 3:20. Beer-sheba was the most convenient centre for the southern district, which Samuel assigned to his sons, retaining the northern himself. Josephus says that “resigning his office to his sons he divided the people between them, and placed them in Bethel and Beer-sheba,” a statement which is probably his own conjecture, and does not agree with ch. 1Sa 7:15.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The mention of Beer-sheba, on the extreme southern frontier of Judah, as the place where Samuels sons judged Israel is remarkable. It was probably due to the recovery of territory from the usurpation of the Philistines 1Sa 7:14.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
In the southern border of the land of Canaan, where he placed his sons, because these parts were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places, Samuel himself still executed the office of the judge; sending his sons to reside and judge in distant places, for the ease and convenience of the people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel,…. In 1Ch 6:28 he is called Vashni; [See comments on 1Ch 6:28]. This was not Joel the prophet, as some have thought, neither his parentage, nor his office, nor his times, will agree with this:
and the name of his second Abiah: which two sons seem to be all he had:
they were judges in Beersheba; in the utmost border of the land, to the south, as Ramah, where Samuel dwelt and judged, was more to the north; where they were placed by their father, for the greater convenience of the people of Israel that lived southward, to bring their causes to them, as those lived more northward might bring them to him: according to Josephus w, they were placed by their father, the one in Bethel, one of the places Samuel used to go to in his circuit and judge, and the other at Beersheba. But some, as Junius and others, think it should be rendered, “unto Beersheba”; and so takes in its opposite, Dan, which lay at the utmost border of the land northward; hence the phrase, “from Dan to Beersheba”; and that the one was settled at Dan for the sake of the northern part of the land, and the other at Beersheba, for the sake of the southern: or rather these sons of Samuel placed themselves at Beersheba; which was an ill judged thing, to be both in one place, and which must give the people of Israel a great deal of trouble, and put them to a large expense to come from all quarters thither, to have their causes tried; but that is not the worst.
w Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 6. c. 3.) sect. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. In Beer-sheba Their chief seat was there, as Samuel’s was at Ramah. Probably the recovery under Samuel of many cities from the Philistines (1Sa 7:14) made it expedient to have some kind of magistrates appointed in the southern part of the country.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(2) Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were Judges in Beersheba. (3) And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Behold, Reader, in these instances, that grace is not hereditary. The most pious of men cannot convey the least portion of the Holy Ghost to their children. Oh! thou dear Redeemer! how hast thou hereby taught us the infinite importance of an union with thee! Holy Father! remember thy promise to our Jesus, and be it according to thy words: pour thy Spirit. upon his seed, and thy blessing upon his offspring. Isa 44:3 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba.
Ver. 2. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel. ] Which some a will have to be Joel the prophet, the son of Pethuel, that is, of Samuel, say they, Joe 1:1 as this Joel is called Vashni. 1Ch 6:28 ; 1Ch 6:33 He might afterwards repent of his government without righteousness, which is but robbery by authority, and be a prophet as was his father. Howsoever, he had a good son – viz., Heman the music master and a prophet. 1Ki 4:31 1Ch 6:33 ; 1Ch 25:1 Psa 88:1
They were judges in Beersheba,
a Alsted.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Joel: 1Ch 6:28, 1Ch 6:38, Vashni
Reciprocal: Exo 21:6 – the judges 1Ch 5:4 – Joel 1Ch 5:12 – Joel 1Ch 15:17 – Heman
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 8:2. They were judges in Beer-sheba In the southern borders of the land of Canaan, which were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places, Samuel himself still executed the office of judge.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was {b} Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba.
(b) Who was also called Vashni, 1Ch 6:28.