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conscription-and-exploitation

The king's authority includes conscripting sons and daughters for labor and military service, illustrating exploitation under centralized rule.

1 chapter across 1 book

The Power (2016)Naomi Alderman

Chapter 5

This chapter recounts the biblical story from 1 Samuel 8 where the people demand a king to lead them, despite the prophet Samuel's warnings about the oppressive consequences of monarchy. Samuel describes how a king will conscript their sons and daughters, seize their lands and resources, and impose heavy burdens, ultimately leading to their enslavement. Despite these warnings, the people insist on having a king to be like other nations, and God consents to their request.