Ambassadors or slaves?
God ruled over the Nation of Israel. He raised judges to deal with the crises or wars as necessary. Nevertheless, the Nation wanted to be like neighboring nations. So, they asked Samuel to appoint a king. (I Samuel 8:5) Though Samuel was upset that the Nation had rejected God as their king, God knew it was coming. Because Moses had described kings much earlier. (Deuteronomy 17:18-19) Samuel explained to the Nation of Israel the consequences they would face. The kings would be takers, not givers like the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (I Samuel 8:10-18) Samuel warned that the king would take their sons, daughters, tenth of harvest, tenth of flocks, servants, and donkeys. Instead of serving God with delight and diligence, they would be serving their king as slaves.
Sons Samuel warned that their sons would become army personnel like charioteers, horsemen, and runners before chariots. Some could become commanders. Other sons would become laborers to work in the field owned by kings and reap their harvest. If they are skilled, they would make implements of war and equipment for his chariots.
Daughters Samuel warned that the daughters would be taken to serve in the palace of the king. They would be perfumers in the palace courts, and serve in the kitchen as cooks and bakers.
Income taxed The king would claim the tenth of the harvest as taxes. Tenths of the flocks also would be taken as taxes.
Productivity curbed The people of Israel will have workers to work in their fields and for their flocks. The king will take the male servants, female servants, and put them in the king’s service. Donkeys were important for work and transport; the king would confiscate all of them and use them for the kingdom.
Assets taken away The king will take away the fields of common people and give them as a reward to his servants.
King of Kings God is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. By receiving the Son of God and serving Him, a believer becomes a citizen of His Kingdom. (Philippians 3:20) And serve as His ambassadors in the world and not as slaves of any human kingdom. (II Corinthians 5:20)