Deuteronomy 17

6 two witnesses. If this made crime more difficult of proof, it also gave the innocent a better safeguard against false witness; and this, too, would be the tendency of the next requirement, that the witnesses should themselves execute the sentence.

14 a king. It is observable that whilst the principles of government are carefully and strictly settled, its outward form is regarded as unimportant, and left to the decision of the people. It is provided that any king of Israel shall be only a viceroy of Jehovah; and, as such, shall study His Divine law, and solemnly bind himself duly to administer it: thus establishing the supremacy of law over the monarch.

16 shall not multiply horses. At this period, horses were commonly used only in war; and it was God’s design that the Israelites should nor become a military people, but should depend on Him for protection. Besides, the use of horses would necessarily lead to intercourse with Egypt, whence, at that period, they were mostly procured; and thus would expose the Hebrews to the contamination of idolatry, to which they were peculiarly prone. Solomon’s violation of this and the succeeding command (ver. 17) were the first steps in that course of apostasy which led to the division of the nation, the establishment of the Egyptian calf-worship, and, at last, to the entire overthrow of the kingdom (1 Kings iv. 26, etc.).

18 shall write. i.e., shall have written for him.

20 that his heart be not lifted up. The monarchy was to be democratic as well as theocratic.—and his children. If the king obeyed the Divine law, the monarchy was to be hereditary, as it became in David’s family.