1 Samuel 8:15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:4-22

We have here the starting of a matter perfectly new and surprising, which was the setting up of kingly government in Israel. Perhaps the thing had been often talked of among them by those that were given to change and affected that which looked great. But we do not find that it was ever till now publicly proposed and debated. Abimelech was little better than a titular king, though he is said to reign over Israel (Jdg. 9:22), and perhaps his fall had for a great while rendered the title of king... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:15

And he will take the tenth of your seed ,.... 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:10-22

Permitted, not approved. The facts are— 1 . Samuel points out to the people that their desired king will aggrandise himself at their expense, and that, once entering on their course, there will be no deliverance. 2 . The people, nevertheless, decide to have a king, and assign the motive of their preference. 3 . Samuel, on laying the matter before God, receives a command to make them a king. The question at issue was not whether this or that form of government was intrinsically... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:15

The tenth. i.e. the king will cost you as much as all the ordinances of religion. Still national security would be cheaply purchased at this, or even a greater cost, if the money were well spent; but Samuel says that the king would lavish it not on his officers, but on his eunuchs, those miserable creatures, so cruelly wronged, and generally so hateful, who ministered to the pleasures of Oriental kings. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 8:14-18

See illustrations in marginal references; 1 Kings 5:13-18; 1 Kings 12:4. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 8:14-15

1 Samuel 8:14-15 . He will take your fields By fraud or force, as Ahab did from Naboth. And give them to his servants He will not only take the fruits of your lands for his own use, but will take away your possessions to give to his servants. The tenth Besides the several tenths which God hath reserved for his service, he will when he pleaseth, impose another tenth upon you. And give to his officers Hebrew, to his eunuchs, which may imply a further injury, that he should, against... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Click image for full-size version8:1-12:25 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MONARCHYThe people ask for a king (8:1-22)Israel’s history continued to follow the pattern set out in the book of Judges. Once the God-appointed judge (in this case, Samuel) was no longer able to exercise control over the nation (for Samuel was old and his sons who succeeded him as judges were worthless), the people turned from God and drifted into wrongdoing (8:1-3).In search for stability within the nation, the people asked... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 8:15

your vineyards . Compare 1 Kings 21:7 . read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

1. The demand for a king ch. 8The Israelites had pressed their leaders for a king at least twice in their past history. The first time was during Gideon’s judgeship (Judges 8:22), and the second was during Abimelech’s conspiracy (Judges 9:2). Now in Samuel’s judgeship they demanded one again. read more