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1 Samuel 8:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 8:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants.
1 Samuel 8:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
16And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
17He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants.
18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day.
19But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay: but we will have a king over us,
20that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
← 1 Samuel 8:161 Samuel 8:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He will take the tenth of your sheep, etc.] 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.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See illustrations in marginal references; 1 Kings 5:13-18; 1 Kings 12:4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His servants - That is, he will use you like slaves, and deprive you of that liberty which now you enjoy. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:17 you will be his slaves: By demanding a king, the people whose ancestors had once been slaves in Egypt were risking a new enslavement (cp. 1 Kgs 12:1-20).”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification