Deuteronomy 1:13-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-18

Moses here reminds them of the happy constitution of their government, which was such as might make them all safe and easy if it was not their own fault. When good laws were given them good men were entrusted with the execution of them, which, as it was an instance of God's goodness to them, so it was of the care of Moses concerning them; and, it should seem, he mentions it here to recommend himself to them as a man that sincerely sought their welfare, and so to make way for what he was about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:13

Take ye wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes ,.... Not only whose persons were well known, but their characters and qualifications, for their probity and integrity, for their wisdom and prudence in the management of affairs, for their skill and knowledge in things divine and human, civil and religious, and for their capacity in judging and determining matters in difference; see Exodus 18:21 . and I will make them rulers over you ; the people were allowed to choose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:14

And ye answered me and said ,.... As the speech of Moses to the people is not expressed before, so neither this answer of theirs to him: the thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do ; to look out for and present persons to him as before described; this they saw was for their own good and profit, as well as for the ease of Moses, and therefore readily agreed to it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:15

So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known ,.... The principal persons among them, that were remarkable and well known for their wisdom and understanding, whom the people presented to him: and made them heads over you ; rulers of them, as follows: captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens ; see Exodus 18:21 . and officers among your tribes ; which Jarchi interprets of such that bind malefactors and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 1:13

Take you wise men - חכמים chachamim , such as had gained knowledge by great labor and study. Understanding נבנים nebonim , persons of discernment, judicious men. Known, ידעים yeduim , persons practiced in the operations of nature, capable of performing curious and important works. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 1:15

Captains over thousands, etc. - What a curious and well-regulated economy was that of the Israelites! See its order and arrangement: God, the King and Supreme Judge; Moses, God's prime minister; The priests, consulting him by Urim and Thummim; The chiefs or princes of the twelve tribes; Chilliarchs, or captains over thousands; Centurions, or captains over hundreds; Tribunes, or captains over fifty men; Decurions, or captains over ten men; and, Officers, persons who might be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 1:13

Verse 13 13.Take you wise men. Hence it more plainly appears that those who were to preside in judgment were not appointed only by the will of Moses, but. elected by the votes of the people. And this is the most desirable kind c f liberty, that we should not be compelled to obey every’ person who may be tyrannically put over our heads; but which allows of election, so that no one should rule except he be approved of by us. And this is further confirmed in the next verse, wherein Moses recounts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:1-18

The impartiality of God to be reflected in the judges of his people. In the following Homilies we adhere to the traditional view of the Mosaic authorship of the book, believing that no sufficient evidence has yet been adduced by the critics for departing from that view. Moses enters upon his addresses in the land of Moab by recapitulating the salient points of the Exodus. The first notable reference is to the appointment of the judges. The qualifications and directions here recorded are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:6-18

Rules to be observed in choosing rulers. This paragraph may with advantage be compared with Exodus 18:1-27 ; in which there is a fuller account of the circumstances under which the choice of judges and magistrates was proposed and made; this important step towards the order and consolidation of the national life was taken at the suggestion of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. Referring to the exposition of that chapter for the historic detail, we note here simply: 1. That the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-16

Division of labor. (Cf. Exodus 18:13-27 .) An instance of a good idea Reminds us that division of labor is as important in Church work as in the arts. I. THE NEGLECT OF DIVISION OF LABOR LEADS TO SERIOUS EVILS . 1. The work is not overtaken. "Not able" ( Deuteronomy 1:9 ). 2. Those who have to do it are greatly overtaxed. "Cumbrance," "burden" ( Deuteronomy 1:12 ). 3. Energy is wasted on subordinate tasks which might be applied to better purpose.... read more

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