deuteronomy-17:15-nasb,nasb

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 17:15

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:15

Verse 15 15.Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee. First of all, God maintains His own supremacy in the appointment of a king, and does not consign the matter to the people’s own suffrages; that thus He may chastise their audacity in demanding a king in accordance with a hasty impulse. Secondly, He commands that he should be taken from the people themselves, and excludes foreigners, because, if they had been admitted, a door was opened to apostasy; for each would have tried to force... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Israel, being under a theocracy, did not need an earthly king; but neither was this thereby precluded, provided the king chosen by the people were one whom Jehovah would approve as his vicegerent. In case, then, of their coming to desire to have a king over them like the nations around them, Moses gives instructions here as to the choice of a king, and as to the duties and obligations resting upon those who might be elevated to that office. The form in which these are conveyed clearly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The king in Israel We have here— I. THE DESIRE OF A KING ANTICIPATED . ( Deuteronomy 17:14 .) Moses anticipates that, when settled in the land, the people would desire a king, that they might be like other nations. This was: 1. A desire springing from a wrong motive . 2. A desire in some respects natural . The spiritual government of an invisible Ruler was an idea difficult to grasp. The mind craved for some concrete and visible embodiment of that authority... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The limitations of monarchy. We have here provision made for the probable demand of the people for a visible king like the other nations. The unseen King did not make the same sensation in their view, and hence Moses is inspired to anticipate the unbelieving demand. And here notice— I. THE UNSEEN KING MUST HAVE THE SELECTION OF THE VISIBLE ONE . It is in this way that the monarchy, when it came, was kept under the control of God. The theocracy was still the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Limitations round about a king. A king is the creation of a nation's will. The nation does not exist for the king, but the king exists for the nation. His proper aim is not personal glory, but the widest public good. I. KINGS ARE THE PRODUCT OF A DEGENERATE AGE . Since the King of heaven is willing to give his counsel and aid to men, it is for our honor and advantage to live under the direct administration of God; and it is only when piety and faith decline that men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:15

The prohibition to choose a foreigner indicates that the people had the right of election. In what way this was to be exercised, and how it was subject to the Divine choice, is not declared. Judging from what actually happened in subsequent history, it would appear that only on special occasions, such as the election of the first king or a change of dynasty, did God take the initiative, and through a prophet direct the choice of the people; ultimately the monarchy became hereditary, and it was... read more

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:15

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