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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put <i>them</i> to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put <i>them</i> to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use <i>them</i> for his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys, and use <i>them</i> for his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He will also take your male slaves and your female slaves and your best young men and your donkeys and use <i>them</i> for his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He will take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best cattle, and your donkeys and use them for his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys and use them for his work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king will take your slaves and your best young men and your donkeys and make them do his work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He will take your male and female slaves, your best cattle, and your donkeys for his own use. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He will take your servants and your best cattle and donkeys, and make them work for him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He will take your male and female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys to do his work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He will take your male and female servants, as well as your best cattle and your donkeys, and assign them for his own use.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He will take your male servants, and your female servants, and your best cattle, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your most choice young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And your menservants and your maidservants, and the best of your young men and your donkeys, he takes, and has prepared for his own work;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your young men -- the best, and your asses, he doth take, and hath prepared for his own work;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And your servants and your maids, and your good young men, and your asses, he will take and make for his services.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Your servants also and handmaids, and your goodliest young men, and your asses he will take away, and put them to his work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, too, he will take your servants, and handmaids, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and he will set them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He will take your male and female slaves, as well as your best oxen and donkeys, and use them to do his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he will take your menservants and your maidservants, and your goodly young men and your asses, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And your Servants and your Maids and your beautiful young men and your donkeys he will take and he will make his Servants<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he will take your servants, and your handmaids, and your good herds and your asses, and will take the tenth of them for his works.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/8-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1953" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Samuel's Warning</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">And</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qāḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">he will take</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your menservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: šip̄·ḥō·w·ṯê·ḵem (N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">maidservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">your best</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: ba·ḥū·rê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">cattle</a> <a href="/hebrew/2543.htm" title="2543: ḥă·mō·w·rê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- A male ass. Or chamor; from chamar; a male ass.">and donkeys</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ā·śāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and put them</a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: lim·laḵ·tōw (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property.">to his own use.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-7.htm">1 Kings 21:7-15</a></span><br />But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” / Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/46-18.htm">Ezekiel 46:18</a></span><br />The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people by evicting them from their property. He is to provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of My people will be displaced from his property.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-7.htm">1 Kings 4:7-28</a></span><br />Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year, / and these were their names: Ben-hur in the hill country of Ephraim; / Ben-deker in Makaz, in Shaalbim, in Beth-shemesh, and in Elon-beth-hanan; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-4.htm">1 Kings 12:4</a></span><br />“Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you must lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">1 Kings 9:22</a></span><br />But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/5-13.htm">1 Kings 5:13-18</a></span><br />Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. / He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. / Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-10.htm">1 Kings 12:10-11</a></span><br />The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! / Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-3.htm">1 Kings 21:3</a></span><br />But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-1.htm">2 Samuel 15:1</a></span><br />Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-35.htm">2 Kings 23:35</a></span><br />So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-4.htm">Nehemiah 5:4-5</a></span><br />Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Matthew 20:25</a></span><br />But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-25.htm">Luke 22:25</a></span><br />So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42</a></span><br />So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-25.htm">Matthew 17:25-26</a></span><br />“Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?” / “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your best young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/19-21.htm">Asses</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-14.htm">Best</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Bondwomen</a> <a href="/judges/18-21.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-29.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/judges/19-21.htm">Donkeys</a> <a href="/ruth/2-13.htm">Maidservants</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-12.htm">Maid-Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-14.htm">Menservants</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-12.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/judges/18-21.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/judges/19-5.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/ruth/2-23.htm">Servant-Girls</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-15.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/judges/19-24.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-10.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">Asses</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-22.htm">Best</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bondwomen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">Donkeys</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-22.htm">Maidservants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-22.htm">Maid-Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm">Male</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-26.htm">Menservants</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-26.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-5.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-20.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-22.htm">Servant-Girls</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-17.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">Samuel praying in grief is comforted by God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-10.htm">He tells the manner of a king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">God wills Samuel to yield unto the importunity of the people</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And he will take your menservants and maidservants</b><br>This phrase highlights the practice of conscription and forced labor, common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. Kings often claimed the right to enlist servants for royal projects, reflecting the loss of personal freedom under a centralized authority. This warning from Samuel underscores the shift from a theocracy, where God was the direct ruler, to a monarchy, where human kings would impose their will. The Israelites' demand for a king (<a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5</a>) was a rejection of God's unique leadership, leading to the consequences Samuel outlines.<p><b>and your best cattle and donkeys</b><br>The mention of "best cattle and donkeys" indicates the economic impact of a monarchy. Livestock was a primary measure of wealth and essential for agriculture and transportation. By taking the best animals, the king would not only diminish personal wealth but also affect the community's productivity and prosperity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the cost of human governance compared to divine provision, as seen in the Israelites' wilderness experience where God provided directly for their needs (Exodus 16).<p><b>and put them to his own use</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the self-serving nature of human kingship, contrasting with God's selfless leadership. The king's appropriation of resources for personal gain illustrates the potential for abuse of power. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of centralized authority and the human tendency toward corruption. The narrative foreshadows the reigns of future kings, such as Solomon, who heavily taxed and conscripted labor for his building projects (<a href="/1_kings/5-13.htm">1 Kings 5:13-18</a>). It also contrasts with the servant leadership exemplified by Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The last judge of Israel, who is delivering God's warning to the Israelites about the consequences of demanding a king.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel who are requesting a king to lead them, like other nations, rejecting God's direct rule.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king.htm">King</a></b><br>The future monarch that the Israelites are demanding, who will take their resources for his own use.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/menservants_and_maidservants.htm">Menservants and Maidservants</a></b><br>Representing the human resources that will be conscripted by the king.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/cattle_and_donkeys.htm">Cattle and Donkeys</a></b><br>Symbolizing the material wealth and agricultural resources that will be appropriated by the king.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_rejecting_god's_rule.htm">The Cost of Rejecting God's Rule</a></b><br>When we demand our own way, we may end up with burdens we did not anticipate. The Israelites' desire for a king led to increased burdens and loss of freedom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_earthly_authority.htm">The Nature of Earthly Authority</a></b><br>Earthly leaders often prioritize their own interests over those they lead. This passage warns us to be cautious about placing too much trust in human authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_foreknowledge_and_warnings.htm">God's Foreknowledge and Warnings</a></b><br>God, through Samuel, warns the Israelites of the consequences of their choices. We should heed God's warnings in Scripture to avoid unnecessary hardships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_servant_leadership.htm">The Call to Servant Leadership</a></b><br>Unlike earthly kings, Jesus calls us to serve others selflessly. We should strive to lead by serving, following Christ's example.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_mortality.htm">What is the Holy Spirit's outpouring?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_samuel_8_an_edited_text.htm">Could 1 Samuel 8 reflect later editorial influences rather than an authentic historical event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/joab's_key_bible_achievements_lessons.htm">What are Joab's key achievements and lessons in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_chron_18_4_vs_2_sam_8_4__7,000_or_1,700.htm">In 1 Chronicles 18:4, how do we reconcile the figure of 7,000 horsemen with 2 Samuel 8:4, which mentions 1,700 instead?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">And your goodliest young men.</span>--The LXX. Greek Version here reads, "your best oxen," which required only the change of one letter of similar sound in the Hebrew word here. This was, no doubt,. the reading of the original text, as the young men seem included among the sons in <a href="/context/1_samuel/8-11.htm" title="And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.">1Samuel 8:11-12</a>, and oxen would naturally precede the asses mentioned in the next clause of this verse.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He will... put them to his work.</span> Again the hateful forced service, but here not, as in ver. 12, of themselves, but of their households. Instead of <span class="cmt_word">your goodliest young men</span> the Septuagint reads, "your best <span class="accented">oxen</span>," which requires only the change of one letter, and is in agreement with the rest of the verse. Samuel would scarcely place their choicest young men between the female slaves and the asses. But while the ass was used chiefly for riding, the ox was, as he still continues to be upon the Continent, man's most faithful and valued friend and fellow labourer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/8-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will take</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקָּ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your menservants</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדֵיכֶם֩</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·ḏê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">maidservants</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁפְח֨וֹתֵיכֶ֜ם</span> <span class="translit">(šip̄·ḥō·w·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Maid, maidservant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your best</span><br /><span class="heb">הַטּוֹבִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cattle</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחוּרֵיכֶ֧ם</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥū·rê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and donkeys</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמוֹרֵיכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·mō·w·rê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2543.htm">Strong's 2543: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male ass</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and put [them]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָשָׂ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·śāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to his own use.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lim·laḵ·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4399.htm">Strong's 4399: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/8-16.htm">1 Samuel 8:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/8-16.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 8:16 He will take your male servants (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/8-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/8-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>