1 Samuel 8:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he will take the tenth {H6237} of your seed {H2233}, and of your vineyards {H3754}, and give {H5414} to his officers {H5631}, and to his servants {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will take the ten-percent tax of your crops and vineyards and give it to his officers and servants.

Berean Standard Bible

He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 8:15 is a pivotal verse within Samuel's prophetic warning to Israel, detailing the oppressive burdens an earthly king would impose upon them. Specifically, it forecasts the compulsory seizure of a tenth of their agricultural produce—their seed and vineyards—not for the nation's benefit or divine worship, but to sustain the king's vast retinue of officers and servants. This starkly illustrates the economic cost of rejecting God's direct, benevolent rule in favor of a human monarchy, highlighting the shift from divine provision to royal extraction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a comprehensive warning delivered by the prophet Samuel to the people of Israel, found in [1 Samuel 8:10-18](/1_samuel/8-10 "1 Samuel 8:10-18 - Samuel's Warning about a King"). The preceding verses describe Israel's insistent demand for a king "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")), a request that grieved Samuel but which the Lord instructed him to grant, albeit with a clear exposition of the consequences ([1 Samuel 8:7-9](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7-9 - God's Response to Israel's Request")). Samuel's warning systematically outlines the various ways a human king would exploit their sons, daughters, servants, fields, flocks, and ultimately, their freedom. Verse 15 specifically addresses the heavy economic toll, detailing the king's right to levy a significant portion of their agricultural output to support his burgeoning administrative and military apparatus. This particular warning serves as a direct counterpoint to their desire for stability and prestige, revealing the hidden costs of their choice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by a decentralized tribal confederacy, with leadership arising periodically through divinely appointed judges. Israel's demand for a king marked a significant turning point, shifting from a theocratic ideal to a monarchical system, mirroring the political structures of surrounding nations. In the ancient Near East, kingship often involved substantial taxation, conscription for labor and military service, and the establishment of a royal bureaucracy, all supported by the populace. The "tenth" mentioned in [1 Samuel 8:15](/1_samuel/8-15 "1 Samuel 8:15 - The King's Levy") would have been understood by the Israelites as a royal prerogative, similar to levies imposed by other regional monarchs. This was distinct from the Mosaic Law's tithes, which were divinely ordained for the support of the Levites, the poor, and the maintenance of the sanctuary, emphasizing a voluntary contribution for sacred purposes rather than a compulsory tax for state maintenance. The people's desire to "be like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel's Desire to be Like Other Nations")) reflects a longing for perceived security and status, despite the warnings about the inherent burdens of such a system.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of Monarchy"):
* **The Cost of Earthly Monarchy vs. Divine Sovereignty:** Samuel's warning highlights the stark contrast between God's benevolent and non-burdensome rule and the exploitative nature of human kingship. While God's rule offered freedom and provision, the king's rule would demand resources, labor, and ultimately, a portion of their very livelihood. This theme is central to the entire [chapter 8 of 1 Samuel](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King").
* **Taxation and Burden:** The "tenth" here is not the divinely commanded tithe for religious purposes ([Leviticus 27:30](/leviticus/27-30 "Leviticus 27:30 - The Lord's Tithe") or [Numbers 18:21](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21 - Tithe for the Levites")), but a compulsory royal levy. This signifies a profound shift from a system based on spiritual contribution and communal support to one based on political extraction and the maintenance of a centralized, often self-serving, power structure.
* **Prophetic Foresight and Fulfillment:** Samuel's detailed warnings in [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Samuel's Warning") proved remarkably accurate throughout the history of the Israelite monarchy. Many kings, including Solomon and especially Rehoboam ([1 Kings 12:1-15](/1_kings/12-1 "1 Kings 12:1-15 - Rehoboam's Oppression")), imposed heavy burdens and taxes on their subjects, directly fulfilling the oppressive economic realities foretold in this verse.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tenth (Hebrew, _ma'aser_):** This word is identical to the term used for the religious tithe in the Mosaic Law. Its application here, however, is critically different. It denotes a compulsory royal levy, a tax imposed by the king for his own purposes (maintaining his court, army, and administration), rather than a voluntary or divinely mandated offering for the support of the priesthood or the poor. This deliberate choice of word underscores the king's appropriation of a portion traditionally reserved for God or sacred purposes, symbolizing a transfer of allegiance and resources from divine authority to human power.
* **Seed (Hebrew, _zera'_):** Refers to grains, crops, and agricultural produce. This signifies the primary staple food source and economic backbone of an agrarian society like ancient Israel. The king's claim on their "seed" meant a direct impact on their sustenance and livelihood, indicating a significant and foundational burden on their most vital resources.
* **Vineyards (Hebrew, _k'ramim_):** Represents another crucial agricultural commodity, grapes used for wine and other products. Alongside "seed," it forms a merism, encompassing the entirety of their agricultural wealth and productivity. The inclusion of vineyards emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the king's taxation, extending to all forms of their agricultural output.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he will take the tenth of your seed":** This clause establishes the king's authority to levy a substantial tax on the most fundamental aspect of the people's economy—their grain and crops. The "tenth" is a significant portion, representing a considerable economic burden that would directly impact their food supply and ability to sustain themselves and their families. It signifies a compulsory appropriation, not a voluntary contribution.
* **"and of your vineyards":** This expands the scope of the royal levy beyond basic grains to include another vital agricultural product. The inclusion of vineyards confirms that the king's taxation would be comprehensive, encompassing all forms of agricultural wealth and production, ensuring a broad and deep economic impact on the populace.
* **"and give to his officers, and to his servants":** This final clause reveals the purpose and beneficiaries of this heavy taxation. The collected "tenth" is not for national defense, public works, or the welfare of the people, but specifically to support the king's extensive bureaucracy, military commanders ("officers"), and his personal retinue ("servants"). This highlights the self-serving nature of the monarchy Samuel describes, where the people's resources are diverted to maintain the king's power and luxury.

#### Literary Devices
Samuel's warning in [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Samuel's Warning") employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Prophetic Warning** is central, as Samuel, guided by God, articulates a clear and unheeded prediction of future oppression, serving as a divine indictment of Israel's choice. There is a strong use of **Contrast** or **Juxtaposition**, implicitly setting the benevolent, non-burdensome rule of God against the exploitative and demanding nature of the human king. The cumulative list of burdens throughout [1 Samuel 8:10-18](/1_samuel/8-10 "1 Samuel 8:10-18 - Samuel's Detailed Warning") functions as a form of **Anaphora** (though not strictly word-for-word repetition, the repeated structure of "he will take" or "he will make" emphasizes the king's oppressive actions). The phrase "seed and vineyards" in verse 15 is an example of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a whole, signifying all agricultural produce. Finally, the entire passage serves as **Foreshadowing**, accurately predicting the historical realities of the Israelite monarchy, particularly the heavy burdens imposed by kings like Solomon and Rehoboam, which ultimately led to the division of the kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The warning in 1 Samuel 8:15 carries profound theological weight, underscoring the dangers of rejecting divine wisdom for worldly conformity. It highlights the inherent tension between God's benevolent, covenantal rule and the often self-serving nature of human authority. By demanding a king "like all the nations," Israel sought a visible, tangible leader, effectively exchanging God's invisible, yet perfect, sovereignty for a fallible human institution. This act of rejection, rooted in a lack of trust and a desire for worldly security, inevitably led to burdens and oppression, demonstrating that true freedom and provision are found in alignment with God's will, not in conforming to human standards. The "tenth" taken by the king symbolizes a usurpation of what rightfully belongs to God, revealing a shift in ultimate allegiance and a misdirection of resources from divine purposes to human ambition and luxury.

* [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws Concerning the King")
* [1 Kings 12:1-15](/1_kings/12-1 "1 Kings 12:1-15 - Rehoboam's Oppressive Policies")
* [Hosea 8:4](/hosea/8-4 "Hosea 8:4 - God's Disapproval of Israel's Kings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 8:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today, even though we do not live under ancient monarchies. It serves as a powerful reminder that choices made out of a desire for worldly conformity or perceived security, rather than divine guidance, often come with unforeseen and undesirable consequences. When we seek solutions that mimic the world's systems instead of trusting in God's unique provision and wisdom, we risk incurring spiritual, emotional, or even material "taxes" that burden us. This verse also calls us to critically evaluate leadership, whether in civil government, religious institutions, or personal spheres. It underscores the importance of discerning leaders who genuinely serve the people and uphold righteous principles, rather than those who seek to exploit resources or power for self-aggrandizement. For the believer, it reinforces the principle of stewardship: all our resources ultimately belong to God, and while we fulfill civic duties, our ultimate allegiance and the primary allocation of our "firstfruits" should always be directed towards honoring Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek worldly solutions or conformity rather than trusting in God's unique provision and wisdom?**
* **What "taxes" or burdens might I be incurring by prioritizing human systems or desires over divine principles?**
* **How can I better discern and support leaders, both secular and spiritual, who genuinely serve others and uphold God's justice, rather than those who might be self-serving?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of true freedom and where it is found?**

### FAQ
**Is the "tenth" mentioned in 1 Samuel 8:15 the same as the biblical tithe commanded in the Mosaic Law?**

Answer: No, the "tenth" in [1 Samuel 8:15](/1_samuel/8-15 "1 Samuel 8:15 - The King's Levy") is distinct from the biblical tithe. The Mosaic Law prescribed tithes (a tenth of produce or livestock) for specific religious and communal purposes: supporting the Levites and priests ([Numbers 18:21](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21 - Tithe for the Levites")), providing for the poor and strangers ([Deuteronomy 14:28-29](/deuteronomy/14-28 "Deuteronomy 14:28-29 - Tithe for the Poor")), and for communal feasts ([Deuteronomy 14:22-27](/deuteronomy/14-22 "Deuteronomy 14:22-27 - Tithe for Feasts")). These were voluntary or divinely commanded contributions for the maintenance of God's worship and the welfare of the community. In contrast, the "tenth" described by Samuel is a compulsory royal levy, a tax imposed by the king to support his own administration, army, and luxurious lifestyle. It represents a shift from resources dedicated to God's purposes to resources appropriated for human authority and power.

**Did Israel's kings actually impose such heavy burdens and taxes as Samuel warned?**

Answer: Yes, Samuel's prophetic warning proved remarkably accurate throughout the history of the Israelite monarchy. The burdens he described, including heavy taxation, conscription for labor and military service, and the appropriation of land, became a reality. King Solomon, despite his wisdom and wealth, imposed significant taxes and forced labor to fund his vast building projects and maintain his lavish court ([1 Kings 4:7-19](/1_kings/4-7 "1 Kings 4:7-19 - Solomon's Officers") and [1 Kings 9:15-23](/1_kings/9-15 "1 Kings 9:15-23 - Solomon's Forced Labor")). The most direct fulfillment of Samuel's warning came with Rehoboam, Solomon's son. When the people pleaded with him to lighten the "heavy yoke" his father had imposed, Rehoboam famously responded by threatening to make their burden even heavier ([1 Kings 12:1-15](/1_kings/12-1 "1 Kings 12:1-15 - Rehoboam's Oppressive Policies")), leading directly to the division of the kingdom. This historical trajectory vividly illustrates the truth of Samuel's prophecy in [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The warning in 1 Samuel 8:15, detailing the oppressive nature of earthly kingship, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human rulers and Jesus, the true and benevolent King. Israel desired a king "like all the nations," a visible, powerful leader who would take from them to establish his kingdom. Yet, Jesus' kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and His reign is characterized not by taking, but by giving. Unlike the kings who would "take the tenth" of their produce to support their officers and servants, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The burdensome yoke of earthly kings, as prophesied by Samuel, is replaced by Christ's "easy yoke" and "light burden" for those who come to Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the King who provides abundantly, not one who extracts resources; He offers true freedom and eternal life, a stark contrast to the servitude and economic oppression foretold for Israel's human monarchs. In Christ, we find the perfect King, whose reign brings liberation, not taxation, and whose ultimate sacrifice secures our eternal well-being, fulfilling the ideal of righteous and self-giving leadership that no earthly king could ever achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 1:7

Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel [the name] of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel 1:10

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which [are] of your sort? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the king.

Genesis 37:36

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.

Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Isaiah 39:7

And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Daniel 1:3

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;