Chapter Summary

Laws concerning idolaters and obedience to authority and kings.

Discussion Questions for Deuteronomy, Chapter 17

1. Why would sacrificing an animal with a defect be "detestable" (verse 1 CSB) to the Lord? After all, He is the one that made it, so what's the issue?
2. The penalty for idolatry was death, but did the Israelites follow this command? What stories in the Bible can you find to make your case?
3. Examples of idolatry for ancient Israelites are given in verse 3. What does idolatry look like today? Do you struggle with any of the examples you found? How can you remove those idols in your life without becoming a recluse?
4. Why do you think that the penalty for refusing to listen to the high judges was death?
5. Why would the people want a king (like the other nations) when they already had a King? Do you desire the peace and wellbeing of other people? How can you remind yourself on a daily basis that your peace and wellbeing is found in the Lord?
6. The book of Judges covers centuries of time between when they entered the land to when they appointed Saul as their king. Why do you think the Israelites waited so long to appoint a king? Was it God's desire for them to have a king? Why or why not?
7. God was very specific when he said that a king must not "send the people back to Egypt to acquire horses" (verse 16 CSB). King Solomon would disobey this command both literally and figuratively. How did Solomon literally send the people back to Egypt? What about figuratively? What passages in the Bible can be used to make these connections?
8. In the Lord's instructions for a king, he told the Israelites to appoint a king that will not acquire many horses and many wives for himself. Read 1 Kings 10:26-11:4. How were these specific commands meant to protect Solomon? How was God faithful despite Solomon's unfaithfulness to God's commands?
9. Why do you think that a king was supposed to write their own copy of God's law for himself? What benefits would this have for your own life?
10. If you read one verse a day, it would take you about 86 years to read the whole Bible. Do you read God's word every day? What steps can you take this week to be more intentional about reading God's word?

Key Words/Phrase

Transgressing, v. 2.

Characters

God, Moses.

Strong Verse(s)

18, 19, 20.