Deuteronomy 17:14

KJV

¶ When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that [are] about me;

KJV (with Strong's)

When thou art come {H935} unto the land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee, and shalt possess {H3423} it, and shalt dwell {H3427} therein, and shalt say {H559}, I will set {H7760} a king {H4428} over me, like as all the nations {H1471} that are about {H5439} me;

Complete Jewish Bible

"When you have entered the land ADONAI your God is giving you, have taken possession of it and are living there, you may say, 'I want to have a king over me, like all the other nations around me.'

Berean Standard Bible

When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,”

American Standard Version

When thou art come unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 17:14 prophetically anticipates a pivotal moment in Israel's future history: their eventual desire to establish a monarchy, mirroring the surrounding nations. This verse, delivered by Moses as part of God's comprehensive law for the nascent nation, reveals divine foreknowledge of Israel's inclination once they are settled in the Promised Land. It sets the stage for the subsequent divine regulations concerning kingship, indicating that while the desire for a king might stem from a worldly impulse, God's sovereign plan would nonetheless provide a framework for a righteous monarchy under His ultimate authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 17:14 is situated within the "Deuteronomic Code" (chapters 12-26), a section outlining the statutes and judgments that would govern Israel's life in the Promised Land. Specifically, chapter 17 addresses the administration of justice and the roles of various leaders: judges and priests (vv. 8-13) and, significantly, a future king (vv. 14-20). Moses, speaking prophetically, transitions from established judicial and priestly roles to the anticipated institution of kingship. This foresight is crucial because it allows God to preemptively establish divine parameters for a king's conduct, ensuring that even this potentially problematic human institution would operate under God's ultimate sovereignty and law, rather than succumbing to the abuses common among pagan monarchies. The immediate verses that follow (Deuteronomy 17:15-20) lay down strict qualifications and responsibilities for the chosen king, emphasizing humility, adherence to the law, and avoidance of excessive wealth, military power, or foreign alliances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Moses's address, Israel was a tribal confederation, led by God through Moses and future judges. The concept of a centralized monarchy was prevalent among the surrounding Canaanite and Mesopotamian nations, where kings often held absolute power, claimed divine descent, and were primarily military leaders. Israel, however, was called to be a unique nation, a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" ([Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - A Kingdom of Priests")). Their ultimate King was Yahweh. The desire to "be like all the nations" reflects a common human tendency to conform to prevailing cultural norms and to seek security and prestige in human institutions rather than relying solely on divine provision. This aspiration for an earthly king, as seen later in [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King"), was not inherently sinful, but its motivation often stemmed from a lack of faith in God's direct rule and a yearning for a visible, tangible leader like those of their neighbors.
* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several profound themes. First, **Divine Foreknowledge** is prominently displayed; God, through Moses, declares Israel's future desire for a king long before it materializes, demonstrating His omniscience and sovereign oversight of history. Second, the theme of **Imitation of Nations** highlights Israel's perpetual struggle between their unique calling to be distinct and holy and their temptation to conform to worldly standards. This tension is central to much of Israel's narrative, from their initial request for a king in [1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel's Demand for a King") to their later adoption of pagan practices. Third, the **Anticipation of Monarchy** itself is a significant theme. While the desire to be "like all the nations" was problematic, God, in His wisdom, did not forbid kingship outright but provided a divine framework for it. This demonstrates God's willingness to work within human choices and institutions, even imperfect ones, to achieve His ultimate redemptive purposes, ensuring that any human king would ideally serve as God's vice-regent, ruling according to divine law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"set a king" (Hebrew: שׂוּם מֶלֶךְ, _sum melekh_):** This phrase signifies the act of appointing or establishing a monarch. The verb `שׂוּם` (sum) means "to put, place, set," indicating a deliberate act of installation. The noun `מֶלֶךְ` (melekh) refers to a king or ruler. While the verse states the people's desire ("I will set a king over me"), the subsequent verse ([Deuteronomy 17:15](/deuteronomy/17-15 "Deuteronomy 17:15 - God's Choice for King")) clarifies that God retains the ultimate authority to "choose" and "set" the king, demonstrating a crucial interplay between human desire and divine sovereignty.
* **"like as all the nations that [are] about me" (Hebrew: כְּכָל־הַגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבֹתָי, _k'khol-haggoyim asher s'vivotay_):** This phrase is central to the verse's theological implications. `כְּכָל־הַגּוֹיִם` (k'khol-haggoyim) literally means "like all the Gentiles/nations." It highlights Israel's desire for conformity rather than distinction. Israel was called to be a unique people, set apart by God's law and covenant, not to emulate the political structures or spiritual practices of the surrounding pagan cultures. This longing for a king "like" others reveals a subtle but significant departure from their unique identity as God's chosen people, foreshadowing future struggles with idolatry and worldliness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein,"**: This opening clause sets the chronological and geographical context. Moses is speaking prophetically, looking forward to a time when Israel has successfully entered, conquered, and settled in Canaan. This implies a period of national stability and prosperity, a time when the initial challenges of conquest have subsided, and the people are established in their new homeland. It suggests that the desire for a king will arise not out of immediate necessity or crisis, but from a settled existence.
* **"and shalt say, I will set a king over me,"**: This is the pivotal declaration of the people's future intention. The phrase "shalt say" indicates a collective decision or expressed desire by the nation. It is not a divine command but a human inclination that God foresees. The emphasis on "I will set a king over me" highlights the people's agency and their active role in initiating this political change, even if God ultimately reserves the right to approve and choose the specific individual.
* **"like as all the nations that [are] about me;"**: This final clause reveals the motivation behind Israel's desire for a king. They wish to emulate the political and social structures of their pagan neighbors. This conformity stands in stark contrast to God's repeated call for Israel to be distinct and holy, a "peculiar treasure" unto Him ([Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession")). This desire to be "like" others would become a recurring temptation throughout Israel's history, often leading to spiritual compromise.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 17:14 masterfully employs **Foreshadowing** and **Prophecy**. Moses, speaking under divine inspiration, looks far into the future, accurately predicting Israel's eventual desire for a monarchy. This prophetic foresight not only demonstrates God's omniscience but also serves a pedagogical purpose, allowing God to preemptively establish divine guidelines for kingship before the institution even exists. This also highlights a subtle **Irony**: Israel, called to be a unique nation under God's direct rule, would ultimately desire to conform to the very nations they were meant to stand apart from. The passage also utilizes **Anticipation**, building suspense for the subsequent regulations that will govern this foreseen monarchy, thereby mitigating the potential negative consequences of a human-initiated desire for kingship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 17:14 is a profound testament to God's sovereign foreknowledge and His ability to work within human choices, even those born of worldly desires, to achieve His ultimate purposes. While Israel's longing to be "like all the nations" represented a potential spiritual compromise, God did not forbid kingship outright. Instead, He provided a divine framework for it, transforming a potentially dangerous human institution into a vehicle for His rule, provided the king adhered strictly to God's law. This passage underscores the constant tension between human autonomy and divine sovereignty, and the enduring call for God's people to be distinct from the world, even in their societal structures. It teaches that true leadership, whether in ancient Israel or today, must always be submitted to God's ultimate authority and His revealed Word.

* [1 Samuel 8:4-7](/1_samuel/8-4 "1 Samuel 8:4-7 - Israel Demands a King")
* [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Do Not Conform to the World")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 17:14 serves as a timeless warning and a profound comfort for believers today. The temptation to conform to the world, to seek security and validation in human systems rather than in God's unique calling, remains ever-present. Whether it's in our pursuit of success, our parenting styles, our church structures, or our political engagement, the subtle pressure to be "like all the nations" can lead us away from God's distinct standards. This verse calls us to examine our motivations: are we seeking to build God's kingdom according to His principles, or are we merely adopting the methods and values of the surrounding culture? Yet, it also offers immense comfort in God's sovereignty. Even when humanity makes less-than-ideal choices, God's foreknowledge and redemptive plan are not thwarted. He can work through imperfect systems and human desires to bring about His perfect will, always calling His people back to His law and His heart. We are called to be a peculiar people, distinct in our devotion, our ethics, and our hope, reflecting the glory of our true King.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or in my community am I tempted to be "like all the nations" rather than distinct for Christ?**
* **How does God's foreknowledge of Israel's desire for a king encourage me about His sovereignty in my own life and in the world today?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the nature of true leadership, both in the church and in society?**

### FAQ
**Was God against Israel having a king?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 17:14-20 indicates that God was not entirely against the idea of Israel having a king, but He was deeply concerned about the *motivation* for desiring one and the *nature* of that kingship. The problem articulated in [Deuteronomy 17:14](/deuteronomy/17-14 "Deuteronomy 17:14 - Israel's Desire for a King") was Israel's desire to be "like as all the nations that are about me." This implied a rejection of God's unique direct rule and a longing for human security and prestige. However, God, in His sovereignty, provided specific regulations for a king (e.g., he must be an Israelite, not accumulate excessive wealth or military power, and diligently study God's law – [Deuteronomy 17:15-20](/deuteronomy/17-15 "Deuteronomy 17:15-20 - Laws for the King")). This shows that while the human desire might have been flawed, God could incorporate a righteous monarchy into His plan, provided it operated under His divine authority. The subsequent narrative in [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel's Request for a King") confirms this, where God tells Samuel to grant their request, even though it was a rejection of Him as their King, but He warns them of the consequences of an unrighteous monarchy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 17:14, with its prophetic anticipation of an earthly king, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Israel's desire for a king was initially rooted in a worldly longing to be "like all the nations," God's sovereign plan always pointed to a divinely appointed King who would perfectly embody His rule. Unlike the earthly kings of Israel, who often failed to live up to the standards set in [Deuteronomy 17:15-20](/deuteronomy/17-15 "Deuteronomy 17:15-20 - Laws for the King"), Jesus is the King "chosen by the LORD" ([Deuteronomy 17:15](/deuteronomy/17-15 "Deuteronomy 17:15 - God's Choice for King")) in the most profound sense. He is the Son of David, the promised Messiah, whose kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). He did not accumulate horses or silver and gold, but rather emptied Himself ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")) and became a servant. He perfectly obeyed every word of God's law, unlike any human monarch. Jesus is the true King of Israel, and indeed, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), whose reign is eternal, righteous, and brings true peace and justice, far surpassing any earthly monarchy. His kingdom is the one to which all nations will ultimately be drawn, not by Israel conforming to them, but by all nations bowing before Him ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 8:19

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

1 Samuel 8:20

That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

Joshua 1:13

Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.

1 Samuel 12:19

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.

Deuteronomy 26:1

¶ And it shall be, when thou [art] come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;

Leviticus 14:34

When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;

Deuteronomy 26:9

And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, [even] a land that floweth with milk and honey.