When
you have come to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and possess it, and dwell in it, and say, “I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me”; you shall surely set him king over yourselves, whom Yahweh your God chooses. You shall set as king over you one from among your brothers. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
Deuteronomy 17:14-15
Deuteronomy 17 [10.] You shall do according to the decisions of the verdict which they shall give you from that place which Yahweh chooses. You shall observe to do according to all that they shall teach you: according to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do. You shall not turn aside from the sentence which they shall show you, to the right hand, nor to the left. The man who does presumptuously, in not listening to the priest who stands to minister there before Yahweh your God, or to the judge, even that man shall die. You shall put away the evil from Israel. All the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
Deuteronomy 17 [14.] When you have come to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and possess it, and dwell in it, and say, “I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me”; you shall surely set him king over yourselves, whom Yahweh your God chooses. You shall set as king over you one from among your brothers. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; because Yahweh has said to you, “You shall not go back that way again.” He shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
Meaning:
In these verses, Moses addresses the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He anticipates the possibility that they will desire a king to rule over them, like the surrounding nations. The significance of Deuteronomy 17:14-15 lies in its establishment of guidelines for the selection and appointment of a king, ensuring that the king's authority is subject to God's sovereignty and the principles of justice and righteousness.
First, Moses instructs the Israelites that if they choose to appoint a king, they must do so according to God's guidance and direction. The king must be chosen by Yahweh, their God, indicating that his authority derives ultimately from God Himself. This emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will and obeying His commands in matters of governance and leadership.
Second, Moses specifies that the king must be selected from among the Israelites, one of their brothers. This requirement ensures that the king shares a common heritage and identity with the people he governs. It fosters a sense of unity and solidarity among the Israelites and guards against the potential for foreign influence or domination.
Additionally, Moses prohibits the appointment of a foreigner as king over Israel. This restriction serves to preserve the distinctiveness of Israel as God's chosen people and to maintain the integrity of their covenant relationship with Him. It reinforces the principle that Israel's allegiance is first and foremost to Yahweh, their God, and that their king must reflect and uphold this spiritual heritage.
One cross-reference that sheds light on the significance of Deuteronomy 17:14-15 is found in 1 Samuel 8:5, where the Israelites demand a king to rule over them. This passage highlights the tension between the desire for human kingship and the sovereignty of God. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of rejecting God's direct rule in favor of earthly authority.
Another cross-reference that enhances our understanding of Deuteronomy 17:14-15 is found in 1 Samuel 10:1, where Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel. This event marks the fulfillment of the Israelites' request for a king and underscores the importance of God's guidance and approval in the selection of their ruler.
As we reflect on Deuteronomy 17:14-15, we are reminded of the principles of justice, righteousness, and divine sovereignty that should govern the leadership of God's people. These verses emphasize the importance of seeking God's will and obeying His commands in all aspects of governance and authority. May we, like the Israelites, submit to God's guidance and choose leaders who reflect His character and uphold His purposes.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 17:14-15 establishes guidelines for the selection and appointment of a king over Israel, ensuring that the king's authority is subject to God's sovereignty and the principles of justice and righteousness. As we consider these principles, may we seek God's will in all matters of governance and leadership, and may our leaders reflect His character and uphold His purposes.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible