Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

After the laws which concerned subjects fitly followed the laws which concern kings; for those that rule others must themselves remember that they are under command. Here are laws given, I. To the electors of the empire, what rules they must go by in making their choice, Deut. 17:14, 15. 1. It is here supposed that the people would, in process of time, be desirous of a king, whose royal pomp and power would be thought to make their nation look great among their neighbours. Their having a king... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:15

Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose ,.... The Jews take this to be a command to set a king over them: whereas it is only a permission in case they should desire and determine on having one, as God foresaw they would; and this with a limitation and restriction to appoint none but whom God should choose, and which was their duty and interest to attend unto; for none could choose better for them, and was what he had a right unto, and it became them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:16

But he shall not multiply horses to himself ,.... That he might not put his trust and confidence in outward things, as some are apt to trust in horses and chariots; and that he might not tyrannise over and distress his subjects by keeping a number of horses and chariots as a standing army, and chiefly for a reason that follows; he was to have no more than for his own chariot, so Jarchi, and so the Misnah F7 Sanhedrin, c. 2. sect. 4. and Maimonides F8 Hilchot Melachim, c. 3. sect.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:17

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away ,.... From attending to the duty of his office, the care and government of his people, and from serious religion; and particularly from the worship of the true God, as the heart of Solomon was turned away from it by his numerous idolatrous wives, 1 Kings 11:3 , it is a common notion of the Jews that a king might have eighteen wives, and no more F11 Maimon. Issure Biah, c. 1. sect. 2. Misn. ut supra. (Sanhedrin, c.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:18

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:19

And it shall be with him ,.... Always, when at home or abroad, sitting on his throne or lying down, or wherever he went, unless in such places where it was not proper to read it, as the Jews observe F15 Maimon. Hilchot Melachim, c. 3. sect. 1. : and he shall read therein all the days of his life; every day of his life; meditate on it night and day, as a good man does, that he might be well versed in it, and know how to govern his people according to it: that he may learn to, fear... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:20

That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren ,.... On account of his office, the dignity of it, considering that he was subject to the law of God, and accountable to the Lord for all his actions: and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left ; not in the least deviate from the law of God in the whole of his conduct, and particularly in the exercise of his kingly office: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom ; ruling well... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:15

One from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee - It was on the ground of this command that the Jews proposed that insidious question to our Lord, Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, Or No? Matthew 22:17 ; for they were then under the authority of a foreign power. Had Christ said Yes, then they would have condemned him by this law; had he said No, then they would have accused him to Caesar. See this subject discussed in great detail in the notes, Matthew 22:16 ; (note),... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:16

He shall not multiply horses - As horses appear to have been generally furnished by Egypt, God prohibits these, Lest there should be such commerce with Egypt as might lead to idolatry. Lest the people might depend on a well-appointed cavalry as a means of security, and so cease from trusting in the strength and protection of God. And, 3. That they might not be tempted to extend their dominion by means of cavalry, and so get scattered among the surrounding idolatrous nations, and thus... read more

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