1 Samuel 8:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Samuel's sons abandon his example, chasing money, accepting bribes, and twisting justice.
What Does 1 Samuel 8:3 Mean?
Here the trouble surfaces plainly. Unlike their father, who once challenged the people to name anyone he had ever defrauded, these young judges turned aside from his upright path. They sold their verdicts, taking bribes and bending the law to favor whoever paid, the very corruption the law of Moses had warned would blind the eyes of the wise.
To 'walk in the ways' of God is the heart of a faithful life, and to turn aside is the beginning of ruin. Their sin was not weakness but greed dressed as authority, the abuse of a sacred trust. Scripture never hides the failures of its leaders, and this honest record reminds us that no human office is safe from the heart's drift. Only the Lord judges in perfect righteousness, never swayed by gain.
1 Samuel 8:3 in the Original Language
betsa (בֶּצַע), 'lucre' -- unjust gain or profit seized through dishonesty.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 8:3
What does 1 Samuel 8:3 mean?
Samuel's sons abandon his example, chasing money, accepting bribes, and twisting justice.