Deuteronomy 17:18

_AND IT SHALL BE, WHEN HE SITTETH UPON THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM, THAT HE SHALL WRITE HIM A COPY OF THIS LAW IN A BOOK OUT OF THAT WHICH IS BEFORE THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES:_ He shall write him a copy. The original scroll of the ancient Scriptures was deposited in the sanctuary under the strict custody of the priests (see the notes at Deuteronomy 31:26; 2 Kings 22:8). Each monarch, on his accession, was to be furnished with a true and faithful copy, which he was to keep constantly beside him, and daily peruse it, that his character and sentiments being cast into its sanctifying mould, he might discharge his royal functions in the spirit of faith and piety, of humility and a love of righteousness....

18._And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne. _It would not be enough to correct their errors unless kings were also instructed in the fear of God, and properly taught their duty; now, therefore, a system of discipline is added, whereby it was profitable for them to be grounded in the study of religion and justice, viz., that they should take the Law from the priests and Levites, which was to be the rule of all their actions. Because the demonstrative pronoun is used, (73) some think that only the book of Deuteronomy is referred to, but without good reason. I make no doubt but that the whole sum of doctrine is included, which is delivered both here and in Exodus and Leviticus. But although it was without exception to be common to all, yet in order that kings might be more assiduously attentive in reading it, God would have a copy peculiarly dedicated to their use by the priests a...

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...

Verse Deuteronomy 17:18. _HE SHALL WRITE HIM A COPY OF THIS LAW_] משנה התורה הזאת _mishneh hattorah hazzoth_, an _iteration_ or _duplicate_ of _this law_; translated by the Septuagint, το δευτερονομιον τουτο _this deuteronomy_. From this version both the Vulgate Latin and all the modern versions have taken the name of this book; and from the original word the Jews call it _Mishneh_. See the _preface_ to this book. _OUT OF_ THAT WHICH IS _BEFORE THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES_] It is likely this means, that the copy which the king was to write out was to be taken from the _autograph_ kept in the tabernacle before the Lord, from which, as a standard, every copy was taken and with which doubtless every copy was compared; and it is probable that the priests and Levites had the revising of every copy

It is in striking consistency with the dignity which everywhere throughout the Mosaic legislation surrounds the chosen people of God, that even if they will be “like as all the nations about” Deuteronomy 17:14, and be governed by a king, care should nevertheless be taken that he shall be no Oriental despot. He is to be of no royal caste, but “one from among thy brethren” Deuteronomy 17:15; he is to bear himself as a kind of “primus inter pares,” his heart “not being lifted up above his brethren” Deuteronomy 17:20; he is, like his subjects, to be bound by the fundamental laws and institutions of the nation, and obliged, as they were, to do his duty in his station of life wit

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

AND IT SHALL BE, WHEN HE SITTETH UPON THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM,.... When he is settled on it, and is even amidst all the pomp and glory of it: that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book; which copy the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions interpret of this book of Deuteronomy, which is a summary abstract and repetition of the various laws of God to the people of Israel; though the Jewish writers commonly understand it of the whole Pentateuch, the five books of Moses; which perhaps may be enlarging it too much, as it would be reducing it to too little to restrain it to this law concerning kings, as the Targum of Jonathan. The word "Mishneh", rendered "copy", signifies "double"; hence some take it to mean a double exemplar or copy of the law he was obliged to write out, whereby it would be the more imprinted on his mind, and he would be furnished with it for his use at home and...

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,...

WRITE. See note on Exodus 17:14 and App-47. IN. BOOK. See App-47....