Deuteronomy 16 and 17

After reading chapter 16:

* Here is a reiteration of the instructions for observing the Passover, except with the addition that it must be celebrated in the place the lord will choose for a dwelling, not in their towns. Then we revisit the feast of weeks and the feast of  tabernacles. In verse 18 the Israelites are instructed to appoint judges for each tribe, in each town. No bribing judges allowed. Also, no Asherah poles next to the altar and no sacred stones.

After reading chapter 17:

*Do not sacrifice a blemished animal to the lord, for he is picky. If anyone is found to be guilty of worshipping other gods, they are to be taken outside the city gate and stoned to death. However, there must be more than one witness. Plus, the witnesses must cast the first stones.

*Difficult court cases must be brought to the place the lord chooses and decided by a priest or a judge. Thier decisions will be binding and must be obeyed or the penalty is death.

*When they enter the promised land and go to choose a king, they must choose someone of whom God approves. He must be an Israelite, not a foreigner. He must not acquire a lot of horses, wives, or silver and gold. (All things that Solomon supposedly acquired. ) When he becomes king, he is to write his own personal copy of the law on a scroll and read it every day, so he will follow it carefully. The king is not to consider himself better than other Israelites, then he will reign a long time. Apparently the author of Deuteronomy was not aware of any objections to having an Israelite king, which we will see later.