17. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not
away--There were the strongest reasons for recording an express
prohibition on this point, founded on the practice of neighboring
countries in which polygamy prevailed, and whose kings had numerous
harems; besides, the monarch of Israel was to be absolutely independent
of the people and had nothing but the divine law to restrain his
passions. The mischievous effects resulting from the breach of this
condition were exemplified in the history of Solomon and other princes,
who, by trampling on the restrictive law, corrupted themselves as well
as the nation.
neither shall he greatly multiply . . . silver and gold--that is, the
kings were forbidden to accumulate money for private purposes.
JFB.
Outline
Deuteronomy 17:18-19 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
Religious Jew Reading the Scroll of the Torah,
notice the prayer shawl over his head and the phylacteries on
his forehead and arm to remind him that he must keep the law
with his head and his heart. He is reading the scroll of the
Torah which was written on parchment and fastened to rollers.
Painted sketch of ancient writing instruments
Important Topics for Bible Study
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Exodus
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Geography
the wilderness
the mount of God
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Moses
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