It’s almost humorous to read today’s introductory paragraphs (Deuteronomy 17:14-20 on page 261) regarding how kings should live.
God predicts that the people…
- …will enter the land He’s giving them.
- Ask for a king, “like all the nations around us.”
Of course, he shouldn’t accumulate large amounts of silver and gold or horses…or wives! Why? “…his heart will be led astray.”
It’s almost like God knew what was going to happen with our only three kings of the Israeli United Kingdom (Saul, David, and Solomon).
The formula for a successful reign and initiation of a dynasty is laid out, too. “He is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law…It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life…follow carefully all the words of this law…and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left.”
Now if only I could vote for my next President with these criteria!