Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17:1

EVill favourednesse] See upon Deuteronomy 15:21.

Deuteronomy 17:2

Wickednesse] The Italian, That which is unpleasing] this circumlocution is especially referred unto idolatry.

Deuteronomy 17:3

Either] Not only Idols of human invention or fabulous fictions, but even those excellent creatures, which become mans idols, when he attributeth unto them any divinity, or yeeldeth any honour or worship to them, see Job 31:26 The host] The stars, see upon Genesis 2:1.

Deuteronomy 17:5

Gates] Of the city, which was the place where they held their courts of justice, and their common counsels.

Deuteronomy 17:7

The evill] Or the evil man, see upon Deuteronomy 13:5.

Deuteronomy 17:8

Too hard] This is spoken to inferior judges, & magistrates, Deuteronomy 16:18. who were enjoyned to go to the priests, by way of consultation, to be informed of the true sense and meaning of Gods Law: And this is not spoken to the parties, as if they should proceed by way of appeale, for there is no such thing mencioned in Scripture: Between bloud] the Italian,Between man-slaughter] whether it was wilfull or casuall, excusable or no: Suffered by the Law or no, see Exo. 21. 13, 20. 22 28, and 22. 2. Num. 35. 11. 16, 19. Deuteronomy 19:4; Deuteronomy 19:10 stroke]the Italian Plague] as for example, what stroke was subject to be requited by the like pain, Exodus 21:25, or by the word plague, is ment the leprosie or other uncleane disease, of which the inferior priests might take notice at their habitations, yet in doubtfull cases, they were bound to take advice from the high Priests, which were resident in the publick place of Gods service, see Lev. 13. 2. and 14. 3.

Deuteronomy 17:9

The priests] Who were as the great Lawyers amongst the people, practised in the meaning of Gods Law, according to which, judgement was to be given in all the cases comprehended therein, see Jeremiah 18:18. Malachi 2:7 Unto the Judge] this was the chiefe publick magistrate, before the judges were established amongst the children of Israel: He judged supreamly, in things which were meerly civill and belonging to human & positive right, and in things of divine right, the executing belonged to him, after the priest had declared how it should be, see Deuteronomy 19:17. 2 Chronicles 19:11.

Deuteronomy 17:15

Set him] Acknowledge and install him, whom God shall point out by expresse declaration of his wil having no absolute freedom to make choice of any person or family, or to make any law of succession; See 1 Samuel 9. 15. and 10. 24, and 16. 12. 1 Chronicles 22:10.

Deuteronomy 17:16

Multiply] This commandement was transgressed by Salomon, 1 Kings 4. 26. and 10. 26. The end therof is, that the King of Gods people should not exalt himselfe in pride and tyranny; nor should not put his confidence in humane means; nor be corrupted with pleasures. See Psal. 33, 17. Proverbs 21:31 To Egypt] from whence came abundance of good horses, 1 Kings 10:28. and likewise horsemen for the warres. Isaiah 31:1; Isaiah 31:3. And by this looking after such things, the people might have been brought to frequent Egypt by trading, or to demand ayd: which might have obscured the benefit of their deliverance out of that accursed Countrey; by which deliverance they were bound to cleave onely unto God, renouncing the fellowship of, and confidence in the world; which was figured by Egypt Return] This comandement is extant no where else. But it should seem that Moses had a relation to that which was spoken, Exodus 13:17. and to some declaration made, Numbers 14:3-4. see Jer. 42 15.

Deuteronomy 17:17

Turn not away] Through disordered voluptuousnesse, which blindeth the understanding, or to idolatry, and spirituall fornication, which ordinarily followeth the bodily fornication.

Deuteronomy 17:18

Put off that which is before] The Italian, out of the coppy which] meaning the originall, which was in the Priests custodies, 2 Kings 22:8.