1 Samuel 8:17

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye will be his servants.

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 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your most choice young men, and your asses, and put [them] to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye will be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen for yourselves; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

19 Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but we will have a king over us;