1 Samuel 8:14

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, [even] the best [of them], and give [them] to his servants.

And he will take {H3947} your fields {H7704}, and your vineyards {H3754}, and your oliveyards {H2132}, even the best {H2896} of them, and give {H5414} them to his servants {H5650}.

He will expropriate your fields, vineyards and olive groves - the very best of them! - and hand them over to his servants.

He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants.

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 8:14

This verse is part of a crucial passage in Israel's history, detailing the prophet Samuel's warning to the people about the consequences of having a human king. After centuries of being led by judges, the elders of Israel approached Samuel, demanding a king "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). This request displeased Samuel, but God instructed him to heed their voice, while also clearly explaining to them the true nature and cost of monarchy (1 Samuel 8:7-9). Verses 1 Samuel 8:11-17 outline a series of oppressive actions the future king would take, and verse 14 specifically addresses the economic burden and confiscation of private property.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Cost of Monarchy: This verse highlights one of the significant economic burdens a human king would impose. Unlike God's direct rule, which emphasized justice and provision, a human king would demand resources for his administration, military, and court.
  • Abuse of Power: Samuel's prophecy details how the king would not only levy taxes but would also seize the most valuable private assets—fields, vineyards, and oliveyards—to enrich his own servants and loyalists. This foreshadows the potential for royal tyranny and the expropriation of personal property for the ruler's benefit.
  • Divine Warning: The passage serves as a stark warning from God, delivered through Samuel, about the nature of human authority when it replaces divine authority. It illustrates that seeking earthly security and conformity with other nations could lead to oppression and loss of individual liberties, contrasting sharply with the divine ideal for a just ruler as outlined in passages like Deuteronomy 17:14-20.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "oliveyards," a specific agricultural term indicating groves of olive trees, which were highly valuable for oil production, a staple commodity and source of wealth in ancient Israel. The phrase "even the best of them" emphasizes that the king would take the most productive and desirable lands, not merely marginal plots, underscoring the severity of the economic impact on the common people.

Practical Application

While we do not live under ancient Israelite monarchy, 1 Samuel 8:14 offers timeless insights:

  • Beware of Unchecked Power: The verse reminds us of the dangers inherent in concentrated human power, even when initially sought for security or stability. Leaders, without proper checks and balances or accountability to a higher authority, can easily become oppressive and self-serving.
  • Examine Our Desires: Israel desired a king "like all the nations," prioritizing conformity over God's unique design for them. This prompts us to examine our own desires and motivations, ensuring we prioritize God's will and wisdom above worldly trends or perceived necessities.
  • God's Foresight: This prophecy demonstrates God's perfect foresight and His desire to warn His people of potential pitfalls. Even when they chose a path He knew would lead to hardship, He lovingly provided clear warnings so they would understand the consequences of their choices.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 46:18 (6 votes)

    Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; [but] he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.

  • 1 Kings 21:7 (5 votes)

    And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, [and] eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

  • 1 Samuel 22:7 (2 votes)

    Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

  • 1 Kings 21:19 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.