1. Do not violate the covenant (1-7)

In most cultures, people live according to their own ideas or feelings, and kings are above the law. But God's people are a covenant people, a people of the Book. Idolatry is a violation of the covenant relationship just as adultery is a violation of the marriage relationship. Astrology, spiritism and any other kind of idolatry must be investigated and punished.

2. Establish justice (8-13)

God is just, and there must be justice and order among the covenant people. Honest judges who knew and lived by God's word were appointed (16:18-20). They were to be obeyed on pain of death.

3. The king (14-20)

The king of God's people must study the Bible and live by it. He is warned against the dangers of money, women and foreign culture. And he must not become proud. King Solomon should have heeded God's word (1Ki 11:2; 2Ch 1:14-17; 1Ki 10:28).

Application: Lord, help your covenant people to live by your word, and not by the consensus of the times.
One Word: God's people must live by God's word