1 Samuel 8:17

17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

1 Samuel 8:17 in Other Translations

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

17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.

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

17 He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves.

17 He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become 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 a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.

16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.

17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us.