1 Samuel 8:11

This will be the manner of the king Or, "the right of the king;" such prerogatives as an absolute monarch claims.

We have here a vivid picture of the tyranny of an Oriental despot whose subjects are at his disposal for (1) court retainers, (2) military officers, (3) cultivators of the royal estates, (4) artificers in the arsenal, (5) domestics in the royal household. (6) Their property is liable to arbitrary seizure, beside (7) regular exactions of tithe, in order to enrich court favourites, and (8) their slaves and their cattle may at any time be pressed into the royal service. Under such a despotism political and social freedom is at an end. Prosperous as was Solomon's reign, it tended in this direction. See 1Ki 5:13-18; 1 Kings 12:4.

and appoint them This may be rendered either as the E. V. or, and set them for himself upon his charlots and upon his chargers. Service in the retinue of the king rather than in the army appears to be meant.

some shall run before his chariots A body of runners was a regular sign of regal state (2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5).