Why did Samuel's sons go astray?

Answer 1

The tradition of the Sages (Talmud, Shabbat 56a) is that Samuel's sons did not commit a technical sin, but sought convenience and avoided being traveling judges. Rather, they judged people in one location, saving the expenses of travel. This found disfavor in God's eyes, since Samuel himself had traveled every year to serve as Judge in a number of locations (1 Samuel 7:16), and his sons had been expected to follow Samuel's example.

Answer 2

The harsh criticism of prophecy (1 Samuel 8:3) states that they sought money and twisted justice, in their role as judges.

Note:
The job of the Prophets was to criticize stridently and magnify people's faults, in order to improve them and others.

In actual fact, the tradition of the Sages (Talmud, Shabbat 56a) is that Samuel's sons sought convenience and avoided being traveling judges. Rather, they judged people in one location, making it necessary for people to come to them, and also saving the expenses of travel. This is not a technical sin, but it found disfavor in God's eyes, since Samuel himself had traveled every year to serve as Judge in a number of locations (1 Samuel 7:16), and his sons were expected to follow Samuel's example.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Why did the Prophets criticize harshly

Link: More about Samuel

Answer 3

Samuel's sons went astray because they were corrupt and did not follow the ways of their father. They took bribes and perverted justice, which led to their actions being condemned by the people and ultimately resulting in the need for a king to lead Israel.