What is the halachic basis for the king's right to levy taxes and set duties?
The Rambam derives all royal financial rights from the 'Passage of the King' in I Samuel 8 — the passage where Samuel describes what a king will do. These are legal rights, not mere warnings.
Question 2
How is the spoil from war divided?
The king takes half the spoils first. The remaining half is divided equally between soldiers who fought and those who stayed behind to guard the baggage — based on the precedent of David (I Samuel 30:24).
Question 3
What share does the Messianic king receive from conquered lands?
The Messianic king receives 1/13 of all conquered lands as a perpetual hereditary allotment for him and his descendants.
Question 4
What is the king's overall purpose according to the end of this chapter?
The Rambam concludes: the king's purpose is to execute justice and wage the wars of God. All his deeds must be for the sake of heaven — to elevate the true faith and fill the world with justice.
Question 5
What is the status of a commoner who takes a concubine (pilegesh)?
A concubine relationship is exclusive to the king. For a commoner, the only analogous permitted relationship is with a Hebrew maidservant after the designation process described in the Torah.