1 Samuel 8:17

17 He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall 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 He will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 He will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall be his servants.

18 You shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.

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