King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 8:16 Mean?

1 Samuel 8:16 in the King James Version says “And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.”

1 Samuel 8:16 · KJV

Context

14

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

15

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

16

And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17

He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

18

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

The conscription now extends beyond family members to household servants and livestock. The Hebrew "avadim" and "shiphchot" (menservants and maidservants) were not merely employees but integral members of the household economy, often for life. Their requisition would devastate families' productive capacity. "Bachurim" (young men, here rendered "goodliest") in the prime of strength will be diverted from family enterprises to royal projects. Even donkeys ("chamorim")—the primary beasts of burden for ordinary Israelites—will be commandeered. The phrase "put them to his work" (Hebrew "melakhto") echoes the language of Egypt's slave labor, creating an unmistakable parallel: Israel seeks a king to be like other nations, but other nations' kings make their people serve like Israel once served Pharaoh. The very deliverance God accomplished at the Exodus will be reversed by the institution they now demand.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corvee labor (forced work for the state) was a standard practice throughout the ancient Near East. Solomon's labor conscription (1 Kings 5:13-18; 9:15-22) eventually provoked the northern tribes' revolt. The specification of donkeys rather than horses indicates ordinary agricultural households rather than wealthy families.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Exodus-reversal theme in this passage illuminate the danger of exchanging divine freedom for human security?
  2. What forms of "bondage" do people voluntarily accept today in exchange for perceived benefits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאֶת1 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַבְדֵיכֶם֩2 of 12

“your menservants”

H5650

a servant

וְֽאֶת3 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שִׁפְח֨וֹתֵיכֶ֜ם4 of 12

“and your maidservants”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וְאֶת5 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּחֽוּרֵיכֶ֧ם6 of 12

“young men”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

הַטּוֹבִ֛ים7 of 12

“and your goodliest”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְאֶת8 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֲמֽוֹרֵיכֶ֖ם9 of 12

“and your asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

יִקָּ֑ח10 of 12

“And he will take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְעָשָׂ֖ה11 of 12

“and put”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃12 of 12

“them to his work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 8:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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