King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 8:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 8:17 in the King James Version says “He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 8:17 · KJV

Context

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.

19

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

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Commentary

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

Samuel's warning reaches its devastating climax. The livestock tithe ("tso'n," sheep/flocks) represents pastoral wealth just as earlier verses addressed agricultural resources. But the final clause delivers the crushing conclusion: "ve'attem tihyu-lo la'avadim"—"and you yourselves shall be his servants." The very word "avadim" (servants/slaves) echoes throughout the Exodus narrative where Israel served Pharaoh. They were redeemed from servitude to serve God alone (Leviticus 25:55: "they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of Egypt"). Now they will voluntarily re-enter bondage to a human king. The irony is profound: seeking a king to avoid oppression by Samuel's corrupt sons, they will become the king's property. The Hebrew construction emphasizes their transformed status—not merely workers for the king but belonging to him. This verse exposes the ultimate cost of rejecting God's direct rule: exchanging the light yoke of divine lordship for the heavy burden of human tyranny.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of subjects as royal "servants" was common in ancient Near Eastern political vocabulary. Vassal treaties often included language of servitude. The tenth of flocks would have been assessed annually, representing ongoing taxation of pastoral wealth alongside agricultural production.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that Israel's pursuit of autonomy from God led to deeper bondage under human authority?
  2. How does Christ's invitation to take His "easy yoke" (Matthew 11:29-30) contrast with the servitude Samuel describes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
צֹֽאנְכֶ֖ם1 of 6

“of your sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

יַעְשֹׂ֑ר2 of 6

“He will take the tenth”

H6237

to tithe, i.e., to take or give a tenth

וְאַתֶּ֖ם3 of 6
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּֽהְיוּ4 of 6
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֥וֹ5 of 6
H0
לַֽעֲבָדִֽים׃6 of 6

“and ye shall be his servants”

H5650

a servant

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 8:17 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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