1 Samuel 8:16

Verse

And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

He will take your men-servants and your servant-girls, and the best of your oxen and your asses and put them to his work.

Free Bible Version

He will take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men and your donkeys, and make them work for him.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He will take your male servants and your female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys; he will put them all to work for him.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work.

Young's Literal Translation

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;

Context

Samuel’s Warning

¹⁵He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants. ¹⁶And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.

Summary

In this verse, Samuel warns the Israelites that their king will take their sons for his army and daughters for his service. This prophecy reveals the consequences of their desire for a human king instead of trusting in God as their ultimate ruler. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing too much faith in earthly leaders and highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and sovereignty in all aspects of life. Ultimately, it underscores the need for obedience to God's will rather than seeking power and security through human institutions.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he will take your manservants, and your maidservants,.... Into his own family, for his own use and service, if he wants them, or likes them better than what he has: and your goodliest young men: that are tall and lusty, comely and beautiful, of a proper stature and good aspect; and such in all countries used to be chosen for officers in courts, or attendants there; and so the Turks to this day pitch upon young men to attend on great personages, who are of a comely form, have admirable features, and are well shaped; see Gill on Dan 1:4, and your asses, and put them to his work; employ them in ploughing his fields, drawing his carriages, or bearing his burdens; and so any other cattle that would serve the same purposes, as oxen, camels, &c.