_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._ A charge concerning sacrifices, Deuteronomy 17:1. Concerning putting idolaters to death, Deuteronomy 17:2. Concerning the decision of causes by the sanhedrim, Deuteronomy 17:8. Concerning the choice and duty of a king, Deuteronomy 17:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having spoken of the principal services and offerings prescribed in the law for preventing the Israelites from idolatrous practices, Moses interposes a caution against neglect or profaneness in their own worship of the true God; which might be committed by offering any beast to him that had a diseas... [ Continue Reading ]
_In transgressing his covenant_ That is, in idolatry, as it is explained Deuteronomy 17:3, which is called a transgression of God's covenant made with Israel, both because it was a breach of their faith given to God, and of that law which they covenanted to keep; and because it was a dissolution of... [ Continue Reading ]
_The host of heaven_ Those glorious creatures, which are to be admired as the wonderful works of God, but not to be set up in God's stead. By condemning the most specious of all idolatries, he intimates how absurd a thing it is to worship stocks and stones, the works of men's hands. _I have not comm... [ Continue Reading ]
_Witnesses_ Namely, credible and competent witnesses. The Jews rejected the testimonies of children, women, servants, familiar friends, or enemies, persons of dissolute lives or evil fame.... [ Continue Reading ]
_First upon him_ God thus ordered it, for the caution of witnesses, that, if they had, through malice or wrath, accused him falsely, they might now be afraid to imbrue their hands in innocent blood; and for the security and satisfaction of the people in the execution of this punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there arise a matter too hard for thee_ These words are to be considered as addressed to the ordinary judges, or inferior magistrates, who were appointed in every city. _Between blood and blood_ That is, in capital causes, whether a man hath committed wilful or casual murder. _Between plea and p... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto the priests_ That is, unto the great council, which consisted chiefly of the priests and Levites, as being the best expositors of the laws of God, by which all those controversies were to be decided. And the high-priest was commonly one of that number, comprehended here under _the priests_, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt do according to the sentence_ He speaks, 1st, To the inferior magistrates, who, in the suits here referred to between man and man, were to give sentence in their lower courts, according to the decision of the great council, or of the supreme judge, and were to take care that that sentenc... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou shalt say, I will set a king over me_ He only foresees and foretels what they would do, but does not hereby signify that he should approve of it. Yea, when they did this thing, for the very reason here assigned, God declared his utter disapprobation of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whom the Lord thy God shall choose_ Approve of, or appoint. So it was in Saul and David. God reserved to himself the nomination both of the family and of the person. _Thy brethren_ Of the same nation and religion; because such a person was most likely to maintain true religion, and to rule with rig... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall not multiply horses_ Though he might have horses for his own use, yet he was not to have many horses for his officers and guard, much less for war, lest he should trust in them. The multiplying horses is also forbidden, lest it should raise too great a correspondence with Egypt, which furn... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither shall he multiply wives to himself_ As the manner of other kings was, contrary to the design of God from the beginning. _That his heart turn not away_ From God and his law, as Solomon's did. _Neither silver nor gold_ Lest this should lift up his heart in confidence and pride, which God abho... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall write_ With his own hand, say the Jews. _Out of that which is before the priests_ Out of that original, which was carefully kept by the priests in the sanctuary, that it might be a perfect copy, and that it might have the greater influence upon him, coming to him as from the hand and prese... [ Continue Reading ]
_That his heart be not lifted up_ He intimates, that the Scriptures, diligently read, are a powerful means to keep a person humble, because they show him that, though a king, he is subject to a higher monarch, to whom he must give an account of all his administrations, and receive from him his sente... [ Continue Reading ]