Word In Life Study Bible
CRITERIA FOR A KING
Deut.17:14-20
Anticipating that desire, the Lord defined criteria that were to characterize a king over Israel. By following these guidelines, the Hebrews were more likely to install a monarch who would exercise control in a godly fashion and resist the abuses of for which leaders in other nations were notorious:
(1) Chosen by
God (17:15). The king was to be chosen by God from among the Israelites. The
choice was not by popular election but a call from God to be His servant to
the nation (17:20).
(2) Not dependent on the military (17:16). The king was not to “multiply
horses.” Other kings in the ancient world built mighty armies and trusted
in their military might. Horse-drawn chariots were especially prized as a major
battlefield technology of the day. But like so many armaments, chariots and
the horses to pull them were expensive. Multiplying them would invariably lead
to excessive taxation. Likewise, maintaining a large army would drain the nation
of its male population as wars became a fixation for the ruler.
(3) Not allied with superpowers like Egypt (17:16). The king was not to send
envoys to Egypt to trade in horses or even to enlist Egyptian forces. Doing
so would lead Israel back to the pagan values and pleasures that it had left
behind. Moreover, Egypt had come to depend on horse-drawn chariots, but Israel
was called to rely on a different base of power, rooted in its covenant relationships
with God.
(4) Few wives (17:17). Wives for an ancient king signified power, sexual prowess,
and alliances with other nations. The Lord warned against these ties, as they
would tend to turn the king’s heart away from God.
(5) Not excessively wealthy (17:17). Rulers could impose taxes, enter into profitable
trade agreements, and carry out other schemes by which they could multiply their
wealth. But riches can be both seductive and destructive. It would be all too
easy for a wealthy king to become puffed up with pride and forget that God owns
everything.
(6) Devoted to the Law (17:18–19). The king was to write his own copy of
the law—perhaps even in his own handwriting—which he was to read daily
and observe diligently so that:
• he would remain humble;
• he would follow God’s ways;
• he would prolong his life; and
• he would prolong his kingdom through his children.
How well did Israel follow these criteria when it finally established its monarchy? The books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles show that, tragically, these guidelines were never honored completely and in fact were followed less and less as time went on.
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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