Deuteronomy 17:14

_WHEN THOU ART COME UNTO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE, AND SHALT POSSESS IT, AND SHALT DWELL THEREIN, AND SHALT SAY, I WILL SET A KING OVER ME, LIKE AS ALL THE NATIONS THAT ARE ABOUT ME;_ When thou ... shalt say, I will set a king over me. In the following passage Moses prophetically announces a revolution which should occur at a later period in the national history of Israel. No sanction nor recommendation was indicated; on the contrary, when the popular clamour had effected that constitutional change on the Theocracy by the appointment of a king, the divine disapproval was expressed in the most unequivocal terms (1 Samuel 8:7). Permission at length was granted, God reserving to Himself the nomination of the family and the person who should be elevated to the regal dignity ...

14._When thou art come unto the land. _In this passage God sets forth the merits of that sacerdotal kingdom, of which mention is made elsewhere; for, since the splendor of the royal name might dazzle their eyes, so that they should forget that God retained the sovereignty over them, they are thus early admonished how unjust it would be if the majesty of God should be diminished by the rule of a mortal man. In sum, the power of kings is here put beneath that of God; and kings themselves are consecrated unto obedience to Him, lest the people should ever turn to ungodliness, whatever change of government might take place. But although under the judges religion was often subverted, yet it was not without a cause that a special law was enacted with respect to kings, because nothing is more likely than that earthly pomps should draw men away from piety. Now we understand the design of God in t...

14-20 God himself was in a particular manner Israel's King; and if they set another over them, it was necessary that he should choose the person. Accordingly, when the people desired a king, they applied to Samuel, a prophet of the Lord. In all cases, God's choice, if we can but know it, should direct, determine, and overrule ours. Laws are given for the prince that should be elected. He must carefully avoid every thing that would turn him from God and religion. Riches, honours, and pleasures, are three great hinderances of godliness, (the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life,) especially to those in high stations; against these the king is here warned. The king must carefully study the law of God, and make that his rule; and having a copy of the Scriptures of his own writing, must read therein all the days of his life. It is not enough to have Bibles, but we...

No encouragement is given to the desire, natural in an Oriental people, for monarchical government; but neither is such desire blamed, as appears from the fact that conditions are immediately laid down upon which it may be satisfied. Compare the marginal references....

EXPOSITION SACRIFICES TO BE OF ANIMALS UNBLEMISHED. IDOLATERS TO BE SOUGHT OUT, CONVICTED, AND PUT TO DEATH. THE HIGHER JUDICIAL COURT AT THE SANCTUARY. ELECTION DUTY OF A KING. DEUTERONOMY 17:1 Not only was the setting up of idols an offence to be punished by the judge, but also all profanation of the service of Jehovah, such as the offering in sacrifice of any animal, bullock or sheep, tha

WHEN THOU ART COME UNTO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE,.... The land of Canaan: AND SHALT POSSESS IT, AND SHALT DWELL THEREIN; be entirely in the possession of it, and settled in it; it seems to denote some time of continuance in it, as it was, before they thought of setting a king over them, about which are the following instructions: AND SHALT SAY, I WILL SET A KING OVER ME, LIKE AS ALL THE NATIONS THAT ARE ROUND ABOUT ME; which was what would and did lead them to such a thought and resolution; observing that the neighbouring nations had kings over them, they were desirous of being like them as to the form of their civil government, and have a king as they had....

13. JUSTICE AND THE CHOICE OF A KING Chapter S 16:18-17:20 _ 1. Appointment of judges and their instruction (Deuteronomy 16:18; Deuteronomy 17:1)_ 2. The higher court at the place He chooses (Deuteronomy 17:8) 3. The choice and right of the king (Deuteronomy 17:14) This chapter leads us upon new ground. The obligations of the religious life of Israel were stated in the first part of chapter 16 and now the government of the people in the land is commanded. “Just as in its religious worship the Israelitish nation was to show itself to be the holy nation of Jehovah,

LAW ABOUT THE KING THAT IS TO BE. This deals exclusively with the theocratic aspect peculiar to D: the picture of the ideal king here drawn was probably suggested by way of contrast to the reigning king (Hezekiah or Manasseh; _cf._ 1 Samuel 8:5, where D's antipathy to the monarchy inspired by what he saw is reflected). Deuteronomy 17:15. choose: _ cf._ 1 Samuel 10:24; 2 Samuel 6:21. Deuteronomy 17:6. horses (for war,...

AND SHALT SAY.. prophetic contingency provided for. Compare Genesis 36:31....

_When thou art come_, etc.] Similarly Deuteronomy 18:9; Deuteronomy 26:1; cp. Deuteronomy 6:10; Deuteronomy 7:1. _I will set a king … like as all the nations_, etc.] 1 Samuel 8:5: _make us_(the same verb) _a king to judge us like all the nations_. Cp. 1 Samuel 12:12, where the example of the Ammonites is given as the motive of Israel's desire, _although Jehovah your God is your King_. Evidently D is doubtful of the advantages