"the prophet had not heeded the precepts which he had sought to impress upon their minds. They had not copied the pure, unselfish life of their father. The warning given to Eli had not exerted the influence upon the mind of Samuel that it should have done. He had been to some extent too indulgent with his sons, and the result was apparent in their character and life. PP 604.1"
"Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
Both passages discuss the failings of religious leaders' sons. The EGW passage draws a parallel between Samuel's sons and Eli's sons, highlighting the negative consequences of parental indulgence. 1 Samuel 2:22 describes the wickedness of Eli's sons.
"For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not."
Both passages discuss the consequences of a father's failure to restrain his sons' wickedness. The EGW passage draws a parallel between Samuel's sons and Eli's sons, highlighting the negative consequences of parental indulgence. 1 Samuel 3:13 describes God's judgment on Eli's house because he did not restrain his sons.
The injustice of these judges caused much dissatisfaction, and a pretext was thus furnished for urging the change that had long been secretly desired. “All the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” The cases of abuse among the people had not been referred to Samuel. Had the evil course of his sons been known to him, he would have removed them without delay; but this was not what the petitioners desired. Samuel saw that their real motive was discontent and pride, and that their demand was the result of a deliberate and determined purpose. No complaint had been made against Samuel. All acknowledged the integrity and wisdom of his administration; but the aged prophet looked upon the request as a censure upon himself, and a direct effort to set him aside. He did not, however, reveal his feelings; he uttered no reproach, bu…
"And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Samuel 8:5 and elaborates on the context and motivations behind the people's request for a king.