1 Samuel 8:9 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
When Samuel was old he made his sons judges over Israel. But they walked not in the ways of Samuel, turned aside after money, took bribes, and perverted judgment. Samuel’s sons turned out to be godless politicians, abusing the office for personal gain. We are not told whether Samuel was a good father or not, like we are told about the failings of Eli as a father.
Either way, the sons turned out to be evil judges, and everyone knew it. This was one of three reasons why Israel wanted a king. This desire was contrary to God’s will. But we can see how one sinful act can cause a chain reaction of further evils.
Though Samuel is not responsible for the sins of his adult children, perhaps he did not “train up a child in the way he should go.” As parents, we are responsible for the loving discipline and training of the children while they are home, but parents are not responsible for their behavior as adults. We are still able to love them, pray for them, and welcome them home if necessary. As good and faithful and godly a man as Samuel was he is not expected to control his adult children.
The greedy, selfish nature of his children ended up causing untold problems for the nation, with a string of ungodly kings ending up in the nation’s destruction and exile. We do not see the cause and effect relationship between our selfish sins and their consequences, but we must simply trust that God’s revealed will for our lives, as summarized in His Law, is the best for our lives and families. And the gospel forgives us, helps us, and restores us.