Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 8:4

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah;" — 1 Samuel 8:4 (ASV)

All the elders of Israel. —We have here a clear trace of a popular assembly which seems to have existed at all times in Israel. Such a body appears to have met for deliberation even during the Egyptian captivity . Of this popular council we know little beyond the fact of its existence. It seems to have been composed of representatives of the people, qualified by birth or office; these were known as “elders.”

Ewald sees special allusions to the “Parliament” or Assembly of Elders in Psalm 1 and Psalm 82. There are, however, various mentions of these councils in the Books of Samuel, Kings, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.