שמואל א, פרק ח׳, פסוק י״ב

Establishing a monarchy exacts a heavy personal and national toll on its citizens. Under the rule of a king, absolute authority dictates the lives of the people, redirecting their futures to serve both the personal desires of the monarch and the broader needs of the state [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Initially, the king will draft individuals into his army, appointing them as military commanders over large and small units [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. While such a rank might appear to be a mark of honor, many will actually resent being forced to carry the heavy, demanding burden of leadership and public responsibility [מצודת דוד]. Furthermore, the selection process for these roles is completely arbitrary. The king decides who is elevated to the rank of an officer and who is relegated to the status of a simple farmhand based entirely on his personal whim. By ignoring an individual's actual skills, family background, or personal virtues, this system reflects a deep injustice and a failure to properly care for the people [מלבי"ם].

Beyond military command, the king will force citizens to work his personal lands, plowing his fields and reaping his harvests [מצודת דוד]. He will also conscript them to manufacture his weapons and military equipment, turning everyday citizens into professional craftsmen, such as blacksmiths and carpenters, dedicated solely to his war efforts [רש"י, רד"ק]. However, despite the forceful nature of this draft, these workers are not subjected to unpaid slavery. They do receive wages for their labor. The king's absolute power in this regard lies in his undisputed priority; he holds the absolute first right to claim the services of any craftsman in the land before anyone else can hire them [רד"ק].