Deuteronomy 17:14-20 -

Kings subject to the King of kings.

In this paragraph we have directions to be attended to in case Israel should, in the course of time, desire a king. As things were, the Lord God was their King; and it would be a sinful discontent with the Divine arrangements if they wished any change in that respect in their national constitution. It would show an envious desire to be like unto the nations round about, and a craving after the pomp and display of the heathen world. Still, if such a wish should spring up, they are not to be violently coerced into the maintenance of the theocracy. They are to have their way. A dangerous permission this, but maybe it is a necessary one, to educate the people out of their perversity. The permission, however, is not left without its restrictions. Here are rules for the people, and also rules for their king whenever they should have one. The people are told that they must defer to the will of the Lord their God as to who should be their king; and also that they might not set one over them of an alien nation ( Deuteronomy 17:15 ). And as for the king who should be chosen, for him there are four prohibitions and four commands. The prohibitions are these:

The commands are these:

(For a grand commentary on all this, read 1 Samuel 12:1-25 .) The history of the Hebrew nation continuously discloses the folly and danger of people and kings departing from the Law of God. Hence we have a fine homiletic theme for the preacher, when called on to preach a sermon on national affairs. £ It is this: Obedience to the Law of God the only stability of thrones .

I. IT IS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT THRONES ARE FIRM . Righteousness—according to the root of the word—is acting according to relation. Such is the significance of δικὴ . It is acting in harmony with the relations between man and man, and between man and God. When a scepter is swayed rightly, the throne is established.

1. God has created man with power to perceive a distinction between right and wrong, and with a faculty which approves one and condemns the other.

2. When the right is manifestly done, the people are content.

3. Content of the people gives cohesion to the nation and support to the throne.

4. God's blessing is promised to the righteous. The signs of that blessing are seen in continuance and prosperity.

II. THE ONLY AUTHORITATIVE EXPOSITION OF RIGHT FOR THE WORLD IS IN THE WRITTEN LAW OF GOD . (See preceding Homily, Div. II .) Dr. Matthew Arnold speaks of the force pervading the Old Testament as" a power, not ourselves, that makes for righteousness?' This is the peculiarity of Hebrew literature. Their kings are always estimated according to whether they did right "in the sight of the Lord."

III. CONSEQUENTLY , IT IS BY OBEDIENCE TO GOD 'S WRITTEN LAW THAT THRONES ARE MADE SECURE . This grand old Book is the charter of the people's liberties, because it demands that kings rule righteously. It is the monarch's best safeguard, because it insists on a method of government which will ensure the loyalty of a grateful people, and the blessing of the monarch's God! With regard to kings and nations, it is true, "Great peace have they which love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them." Earthly kings will ever find it true, "Them that honor me, I will honor."