Deuteronomy 17:15

Thou shalt in any wise set [him] king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: [one] from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which [is] not thy brother.

Thou shalt in any wise {H7760} set {H7760} him king {H4428} over thee, whom the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall choose {H977}: one from among {H7130} thy brethren {H251} shalt thou set {H7760} king {H4428} over thee: thou mayest {H3201} not set {H5414} a stranger {H5237}{H376} over thee, which is not thy brother {H251}.

In that event, you must appoint as king the one whom ADONAI your God will choose. He must be one of your kinsmen, this king you appoint over you - you are forbidden to appoint a foreigner over you who is not your kinsman.

you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers.

thou shalt surely set him king over thee, whom Jehovah thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee; thou mayest not put a foreigner over thee, who is not thy brother.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:15 is a foundational verse within the Mosaic Law, anticipating the future establishment of a monarchy in Israel. It provides crucial divine directives regarding the selection of the nation's king, emphasizing God's ultimate authority in the process and the necessity of the king being an Israelite.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26) detailing various laws and statutes that would govern Israel's life in the Promised Land. Specifically, Deuteronomy 17:14-20 outlines the regulations for the future king. Moses, speaking to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they entered Canaan, foresaw their desire for a king "like all the nations that are round about" (Deuteronomy 17:14). However, this desire was to be tempered by divine guidelines, ensuring the king would serve God's purposes, not merely imitate pagan monarchies.

Key Themes

  • Divine Appointment of Leadership: The primary directive is that the king must be "whom the LORD thy God shall choose." This emphasizes God's sovereignty over human leadership and destiny, indicating that true authority flows from Him. It sets a precedent for divine involvement in the selection of leaders, as seen later with the anointing of Saul and David.
  • National Identity and Purity: The command "one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother" highlights the importance of national and covenantal identity. The Hebrew word for "stranger," nakri, refers to a foreigner or alien. This stipulation protected Israel from foreign influence, ensuring their leader shared their heritage, faith, and commitment to the covenant with Yahweh. A foreign king might introduce idolatry, oppressive foreign policies, or undermine the unique relationship Israel had with God.
  • Covenant Fidelity: An Israelite king, ideally, would be steeped in the Law of Moses and committed to upholding God's covenant with His people. This requirement ensured that the monarchy would serve to reinforce, rather than erode, Israel's distinct identity as God's chosen nation (Exodus 19:6).

Linguistic Insights

The contrast between "thy brethren" (Hebrew: 'aαΈ₯im, meaning kinsmen or fellow Israelites) and "stranger" (Hebrew: nakri, referring to a non-Israelite, an alien) is crucial. It underscores the exclusivity of the king's lineage. The king was to be one of them, not an outsider who might not understand or uphold the unique theological and social structures of Israel.

Practical Application

While direct monarchies are uncommon today, the principles in this verse offer timeless wisdom:

  • Divine Guidance in Leadership: It reminds us to seek God's will and guidance in choosing leaders, whether in government, church, or other organizations. Qualities like integrity, shared values, and a commitment to foundational principles are vital.
  • Protecting Core Identity: The warning against a "stranger" can be seen metaphorically as a caution against allowing foreign ideologies or influences that contradict core beliefs to dominate. For believers, this means guarding against worldly values that undermine spiritual identity and purpose.
  • Accountability of Leaders: The king was chosen by God and was from "among thy brethren," implying a degree of accountability to the people and, more importantly, to God's law. Leaders are called to serve according to divine principles, not personal ambition or external pressures.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 30:21 (9 votes)

    And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who [is] this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:10 (6 votes)

    He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I [will be] his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

  • 1 Chronicles 12:23 (4 votes)

    ΒΆ And these [are] the numbers of the bands [that were] ready armed to the war, [and] came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 10:24 (4 votes)

    And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that [there is] none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

  • 1 Samuel 9:15 (4 votes)

    Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

  • 1 Samuel 9:17 (4 votes)

    And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

  • 1 Samuel 16:12 (4 votes)

    And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.