“Justice, And Only Justice, Shall You Pursue” (16:18-17:20)
Neal Pollard
We have a bad chapter break in chapter 16, as verse 18 begins a discourse by Moses on the matter of authority that will extend to the end of chapter 18–the authority of the judge (16:18-17:13), the king (17:14-20), the priest (18:1-8), and the prophet (18:9-22)(cf. Smith, 510-511). Justice was at the heart of the judge’s work and righteous character was a must. Righteousness lay at the heart of the king’s reign.
The Just Judge (16:18-17:13). “Just” is defined in 16:18-20 as impartial (19), pure (19), not perverse (19), focused (20), and properly motivated (20). He also was to be faithful to God, not tainted by idolatry (16:21-22) as he was to impartially oversee circumstances in which idolatry occurred. In fact, upon inquiry, he was faced with the potential execution of the guilty. His character must be unassailable and his leadership sure. When the offense rose to a capital level, the case would go before the Levitical priest or judge in office to seek their counsel and decision (17:8-13). Their word was final and binding (17:11). Law and order, as well as spiritual innocence, rode on this system remaining intact (17:12-13).
The Righteous King (17:14-20). God foresaw the day when an earthly king would be installed in Israel, which is obvious from these commands. While Samuel would seem caught off guard by the nation’s desire during the period of the judges (1 Sam. 8:5), God was not. The qualifications for the kind of king God would approve are (1) he would be of God’s choosing (15), (2) an Israelite (15), (3) not trusting in horses (16), (4) not multiplying wives to himself (17), (5) not materialistic (17), (6) scrupulous to write and read the words of the law during his reign (18-19), and (7) humble. No wonder Israel would divide and both resulting kingdoms, Israel and Judah, would suffer captivity and punishment. Systematically, one by one, to varying degrees, the kings who sat on the throne of the northern and southern kingdom lost sight of these divine demands.
Only David would have the heart and character to warrant an enduring dynasty. On the whole, these kings did not live up to the expectations God gives through Moses here. Never miss that the drive behind the directions was the good of those to whom they were given (20). God wants His people to thrive and survive in their new home, and He knew that righteous men in authority was key to this (see Psalm 33, 72, etc.).
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