Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17:1

L. Judges and Kings (Chap. 17) 17:1 Sacrificial animals were to be without blemish. They were a symbol of the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 17:2-7 A person suspected of idolatry was to be tried. The testimony of two or three witnesses was required. If convicted, he was to be stoned to death. 17:8-13 If legal problems arose which were too hard to be handled by the elders of a city, they were to be taken to the judge. By comparing 17:9 with 17:12 and Deu_19:17, it appears that there was a group of priests and a group of judges who heard these difficult cases. The high priest and the chief judge were the respective leaders, this being implied by the definite articles used in verse 12. This tribunal met at the place where God’s sanctuary was located. The decision of this tribunal was final; it was the Supreme Court of Israel. If the accused refused to heed the priest . . . or the judge, he was to die (vv. 12, 13). 17:14-20 God anticipated the desire of the people for a king by about 400 years, and He stated the qualifications for such a ruler, as follows: (1) He must be the man of God’s choice (v. 15). (2) He must be an Israelitefrom among your brethren (v. 15). (3) He must not multiply horsesthat is, depend on such natural means for victory over his foes (v. 16). His trust must be in the Lord. (4) He must not cause the people to return to Egypt, thinking that the horses they could get there would save them (v. 16). (5) He must not multiply wives (v. 17). This is not only a prohibition against polygamy and a warning against the danger of wives who would lead him off into idolatry, but also a ban on marriages designed to form political alliances (v. 17). (6) He must not greatly multiply silver and gold, since these might lure him away from dependence on the Lord (v. 17). (7) He must write, read, and obey the law of the Lord, lest he become proud and willful (vv. 18-20). By continually spending time in the law the king was to become a model for the people. (8) He must not be lifted up with pride (v. 20). Solomon, who ruled Israel in her golden days, violated almost every one of these injunctionsto his own destruction and the ruin of his kingdom (1 Kings 10:1411:10).