David's Transgression: Deuteronomy Law Broken

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah and the Hebrew Bible, and the Christian Old Testament. It is a book of law, containing the Ten Commandments and other statutes and ordinances that dictate how the Israelites should live.

The book is presented as a covenant between God and the Israelites, and is delivered by Moses in the form of three sermons or speeches.

King David is said to have broken Deuteronomy law in two ways: by allowing the bodies of executed men to remain on public display, and by killing the sons of Saul as vengeance for Saul's crimes.

Deuteronomy's authorship

Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah and the Hebrew Bible, is traditionally believed to have been dictated by God to Moses. However, most modern scholars attribute its authorship to the Levite caste, dating it to between the 7th and 5th centuries BC.

The book is structured as a series of three sermons or speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, shortly before they enter the Promised Land. The first sermon recounts the Israelites' forty years of wilderness wanderings, ending with an exhortation to observe the law. The second sermon reminds the Israelites of the need to follow Yahweh and his laws, on which their possession of the land depends. The third sermon offers comfort, promising that even if the nation of Israel proves unfaithful and loses the land, repentance can restore God's favour.

The final four chapters (31–34) contain the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, and the narratives of Moses passing the mantle of leadership to Joshua, and finally, his death on Mount Nebo.

The book's authorship has been a subject of much debate, with some scholars suggesting that it was originally just the law code and covenant, written to cement religious reforms, and later expanded to serve as an introduction to the full history of the Israelites. Others propose that it was part of the book of Numbers, with Joshua as a supplement. The mainstream understanding is that Deuteronomy was initially the introduction to the history of the Israelites, but was later detached and included with the other books of the Torah because of its focus on Moses.

While the book is presented as an address by Moses, scholars generally agree that it dates from a much later period. An early edition, corresponding to chapters 5–26 and 28, is believed to have been discovered in the Temple of Jerusalem in 622 BC. This edition, expressing a cultic liturgy, is thought to form the original core of the book, with other materials added in subsequent years.

The book's Mosaic authorship has been questioned due to its first-person narrative style and the inclusion of Moses' personal recollections and poetic words. However, some commentators, such as Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel, resolve this dilemma by suggesting that Moses composed the words as an oration, with God determining the exact form of the written text.

Deuteronomy's place in the Hebrew Bible

Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, is also known as Devarim in Biblical Hebrew. The name comes from the Ancient Greek 'Deuteronómion', which means 'second law'. The book is made up of three sermons or speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land.

The first sermon recounts the Israelites' forty years of wilderness wanderings and ends with an exhortation to observe the law. The second sermon reminds the Israelites of the need to follow Yahweh and the laws he has given them, on which their possession of the land depends. The third sermon offers comfort, promising that even if the nation of Israel proves unfaithful and loses the land, with repentance all can be restored.

The final four chapters (31–34) contain the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, and the narratives of Moses passing the mantle of leadership to Joshua, and his death on Mount Nebo.

Deuteronomy is part of the Torah, which Jews believe was communicated directly by God to Moses. However, modern scholars date the book to the 7th-5th centuries BCE, and believe it was probably written by the Levite caste.

Deuteronomy is a book of law, containing the Ten Commandments, which serve as a blueprint for the rest of the book. It stresses the uniqueness of God, the need for centralised worship, and concern for the disadvantaged. It also contains laws governing Israel's worship, the appointment and regulation of community and religious leaders, and social regulation.

The book has a puzzling position in the Bible, linking the story of the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness to their history in Canaan, without belonging totally to either. The Deuteronomistic history theory suggests that it was originally just the law code and covenant, written to cement religious reforms, and later expanded to stand as the introduction to the full history.

Deuteronomy's structure

The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah and the Hebrew Bible, and the Christian Old Testament. It is also called Devarim in Biblical Hebrew. The book is structured as a series of farewell sermons delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, shortly before they enter the Promised Land.

The book can be divided into three sections: the first sermon, the second sermon, and the third sermon, followed by an epilogue. The first sermon (Chapters 1–4) recounts the forty years of wilderness wanderings that preceded that moment and ends with an exhortation to observe the law. The second sermon (Chapters 4–11) reminds the Israelites of the need to follow Yahweh and the laws he has given them, on which their possession of the land depends. The third sermon (Chapters 29–30) offers the comfort that even if the nation of Israel proves unfaithful and loses the land, with repentance, all can be restored.

The final four chapters (Chapters 31–34) contain the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, and the narratives recounting the passing of the mantle of leadership from Moses to Joshua, and finally, the death of Moses on Mount Nebo.

Chapters 12–26, the Deuteronomic Code, is the oldest part of the book and the core around which the rest developed. It is a series of mitzvot (commands) to the Israelites regarding how they should conduct themselves in the Promised Land.

The structure of Deuteronomy is similar to that of ancient Near Eastern treaty texts, particularly Hittite treaties from the second millennium.

Deuteronomy's influence on Judaism and Christianity

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah in Judaism, where it is called Devarim, and the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. It consists of three sermons or speeches delivered to the Israelites by Moses on the Plains of Moab, shortly before they enter the Promised Land. The book's core is the second discourse, in which Moses conveys laws that the people commissioned him to receive from God at Mount Sinai 40 years earlier.

Deuteronomy has had a profound influence on Judaism and Christianity. Its themes include the uniqueness of God, the need for drastic centralisation of worship, and a concern for the position of the poor and disadvantaged. Its many themes can be organised around the three poles of Israel, Yahweh, and the covenant that binds them together.

In Judaism, the core of Jewish worship is the recitation of the Shema Yisrael, from Deuteronomy 6:4–5: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Its twice-daily recitation is a mitzvah (religious commandment). Deuteronomy is also the source of the concept that religious life should be based on a sacred book and its study.

In Christianity, Jesus cited Deuteronomy 6:5 as a Great Commandment in the Gospel of Matthew. The earliest Christian authors interpreted Deuteronomy's prophecy of the restoration of Israel as having been fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Christian Church.

Deuteronomy's applicability to modern times

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah and the Hebrew Bible, and the Christian Old Testament. It is a book of instructions on how to keep God's covenant and is a mixture of several genres: historical narrative, exhortations, guidelines, psalms/hymns/songs, and blessings.

Deuteronomy is highly applicable to modern times, as it contains the Ten Commandments, which are the core principles that govern the nation of Israel and the work of its people. These commandments are still highly relevant today and provide a moral framework for many people. For example, the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," reminds us that our love for God should be our most important concern in life, above all else. Similarly, the second commandment, "You shall not make for yourself an idol," warns against idolatry and putting anything else before God.

Another example is the fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy," which calls for ceasing labour one day in seven. This commandment recognises the importance of rest and balance in our lives and can be applied to modern times by setting aside time for activities such as worship, spending time with family, or simply relaxing.

Deuteronomy also contains laws and guidelines that are still relevant today, such as those related to social regulation, justice, and economic matters. For instance, Deuteronomy stresses the importance of treating workers fairly and providing them with rest. It also emphasises the need for impartial justice and the rule of law, which are fundamental principles in modern societies. Additionally, Deuteronomy addresses issues of bribery and corruption, which are still prevalent in many parts of the world today.

Furthermore, Deuteronomy highlights the importance of generosity and caring for the disadvantaged. For example, it instructs landowners to allow neighbours to use their land to meet their immediate needs and requires those who lend capital to be generous and not demand terms that put the borrower's health or livelihood in jeopardy. These principles are still highly applicable in modern times and promote a more compassionate and equitable society.

Overall, Deuteronomy's emphasis on obedience to God, social justice, and compassion makes it highly relevant to modern times. Its teachings provide a moral framework for individuals and societies, guiding us towards living a life that honours God and cares for others.

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