John Gill Bible Commentary

And he was king in Jeshurun,.... That is, in Israel, or over the people of Israel, of which name of theirs; see Gill on Deu 32:15; either God, as Jarchi; for the government of the Israelites was a theocracy, and their laws were immediately from God, and by him they were guided and directed in all things; wherefore, when they were so importunate for a change in their government, and to have a king over them, they are said to reject the Lord, that he should not reign over them, Sa1 8:7; or Moses, as Aben Ezra on the place, Maimonides (f), and others (g); who, under God, had the civil government of the Hebrews; both may be received, God was the supreme Governor, and Moses the chief magistrate under him: when the heads of Israel and the tribes of the people were gathered together; at Mount Sinai, to hear the law there and then given, or to hear it repeated by Moses, as in this book of Deuteronomy, who were at different times convened together for that purpose, see Deu 1:1; next follow the particular blessings of the several tribes, beginning with Reuben the firstborn. (f) In Misn. Shebuot, c. 2. sect. 2. (g) Philo de Vita Mosis, l. 3. p. 681.