1 Samuel 8:15

“And he will take the tenth of your seed, etc.] When grown up and ripe, as their wheat and barley: and of your vineyards; the tenth of the grapes they should produce: and give to his officers, and to his servants; for the support and maintenance of them; and to pay this, besides the tithes of the priests and Levites, would make it very burdensome to them; and this was no other than what kings of other nations usually had, the like to whom they were desirous of having, and therefore must expect that they would insist upon the privileges and revenues that others had. In Babylon, as Aristotle f160 relates, there was an ancient law which required the tenth of whatever was imported for the public…”

“See illustrations in marginal references; 1 Kings 5:13-18; 1 Kings 12:4. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The tenth - Besides the several tenths which God hath reserved for his service, he will, when he pleaseth, impose another tenth upon you. Officers - Heb. To his eunuchs, which may imply a farther injury, that he should against the command of God, make some of his people eunuchs; and take those into his court and favour, which God would have cast out of the congregation. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:16”

“8:15 A tenth of the harvest was already required as a sacred donation to support God’s Temple and servants (Deut 12:6, 17-18; 14:22-29; 26:12-15). The king would demand an additional tenth, a burdensome amount given the uncertainties of agriculture.”

“officers: Heb. eunuchs, Gen 37:36; Isa 39:7; Dan 1:3, Dan 1:7-10, Dan 1:18 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:18”