The charge of this chapter is, I. Concerning the purity and perfection of all those animals that were offered in sacrifice, Deut. 17:1. II. Concerning the punishment of those that worshipped idols, Deut. 17:2–7. III. Concerning appeals from the inferior courts to the great sanhedrim, Deut. 17:8–13.

Here is, I. A law for preserving the honour of God’s worship, by providing that no creature that had any blemish should be offered in sacrifice to him, Deut. 17:1.

Courts of judgment were ordered to be erected in every city , and they were empowered to hear and determine causes according to law, both those which we call pleas of the crown and those between party and party; and we may suppose that ordinarily they ended the matters that were brought before…

After the laws which concerned subjects fitly followed the laws which concern kings; for those that rule others must themselves remember that they are under command. Here are laws given, I. To the electors of the empire, what rules they must go by in making their choice, Deut. 17:14–15. 1.