1 Samuel 8:17

17 He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.

1 Samuel 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 8:17

He will take the tenth of your sheep
As well as of their seed and vineyards; and not the tithe of their flocks only, but of their herds also, which are here included, as Kimchi observes:

and ye shall be his servants:
made slaves of by him, even as the Canaanitish servants were, according to Abarbinel; though others interpret it more mildly of their being obliged to pay tribute and taxes, for the support of his government.

1 Samuel 8:17 In-Context

15 He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants.

16 He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use.

17 He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.

18 When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the LORD will not help you.”

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said.