We have seen how the prospect of establishing a monarchy in Deuteronomy 17:14 was a pivotal point with far-reaching implications, extending beyond centuries and books. Let us now examine what God advocates when the time comes to choose a king. The passage is in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and adds further layers to the interplay between the books and to our understanding of them, here and now. Before examining the verses in detail, a preliminary observation is necessary. It conce

Irony -even tragic irony- is a major feature of the writing of the Hebrew Bible. We will examine one example -or rather, a node of cross-references- concerning the king of Israel as presented by Moses on behalf of God (1) in the Deuteronomic law code. We are in the parsha Shofetim (Deut 16:18-21:9), which describes in particular the future institutions of Israel (priests, judges, prophets), at the time when the Hebrews are preparing to enter the land of Canaan (this settlem