1 Samuel 8:15

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 8:15 (KJV) is part of a prophetic warning delivered by the prophet Samuel to the people of Israel concerning their insistent demand for a human king, like the nations around them. This particular verse highlights one specific burden the future king would impose upon them: heavy taxation.

Context

The Israelites, feeling vulnerable and desiring to be "like all the nations," rejected God's direct rule through judges and asked Samuel to appoint a king over them (1 Samuel 8:5). This request grieved Samuel, but the Lord instructed him to heed their voice, while also clearly warning them of the consequences of choosing human monarchy over divine sovereignty (1 Samuel 8:7). Verses 10-18 of 1 Samuel chapter 8 detail Samuel's comprehensive warning, outlining the various ways a king would exploit their resources, labor, and freedom. Verse 15 specifically addresses the economic toll.

Key Themes

  • The Cost of Earthly Monarchy: This verse starkly illustrates that human kingship, unlike God's benevolent rule, would come with significant material costs. The king would require extensive resources to maintain his court, army, and administration, all at the expense of the people.
  • Taxation and Burden: The "tenth" (a tithe) here is not the voluntary or divinely commanded tithe for the Levites or the poor (Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21), but a compulsory levy by the king. This highlights the shift from a system based on spiritual contribution to one based on political extraction.
  • Prophetic Foresight: Samuel's warning proved accurate throughout the history of the Israelite monarchy, with many kings imposing heavy burdens and taxes on their subjects (e.g., Rehoboam's oppressive policies in 1 Kings 12).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "tenth" is ma'aser (ืžึทืขึฒืฉื‚ึตืจ), the same term used for the tithe. Its usage here is significant because it implies the king would demand for himself a portion of the people's produce that was historically designated for God or the support of the religious system. This suggests a subtle but profound shift in allegiance and resource allocation from divine purposes to human authority and luxury.

Practical Application

While we no longer live under ancient monarchies, 1 Samuel 8:15 offers timeless lessons:

  • Understanding Consequences: It reminds us that choices, especially those made out of a desire to conform to worldly standards rather than divine principles, often come with unforeseen and undesirable consequences.
  • Accountability of Leadership: The passage serves as a warning about the potential for human leadership to become self-serving and burdensome when unchecked. It underscores the importance of wise and just governance that serves the people, not merely its own interests.
  • Stewardship of Resources: For believers, it highlights the principle of stewardshipโ€”that all our resources ultimately belong to God. When human systems demand a portion, it requires discernment regarding how we honor God with what we have, even while fulfilling civic duties.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 1:7 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Daniel 1:18 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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;