ude." Thus by God's
orders Josue was set at the head in place of Moses; and we read about
each of the judges who succeeded Josue that God "raised . . . up a
saviour" for the people, and that "the spirit of the Lord was" in
them (Judges 3:9, 10, 15). Hence the Lord did not leave the choice of
a king to the people; but reserved this to Himself, as appears from
Deut. 17:15: "Thou shalt set him whom the Lord thy God shall choose."

Reply Obj. 2: A kingdom is the best form of government of the people,
so long as it is not corrupt. But since the power granted to a king
is so great, it easily degenerates into tyranny, unless he to whom
this power is given be a very virtuous man: for it is only the
virtuous man that conducts himself well in the midst of prosperity,
as the Philosopher observes (Ethic. iv, 3). Now perfect virtue is to
be found in few: and especially were the Jews inclined to cruelty and
avarice, which vices above all turn men into tyrants. Hence from the
very first the Lord did not set up the kingly authority with full
power, but gave them judges and governors to rule them. But
afterwards when the people asked Him to do so, being indignant with
them, so to speak, He granted them a king, as is clear from His words
to Samuel (1 Kings 8:7): "They have not rejected thee, but Me, that I
should not reign over them."

Nevertheless, as regards the appointment of a king, He did establish
the manner of election from the very beginning (Deut. 17:14, seqq.):
and then He determined two points: first, that in choosing a king
they should wait for the Lord's decision; and that they should not
make a man of another nation king, because such kings are wont to
take little interest in the people they are set over, and
consequently to have no care for their welfare: secondly, He
prescribed how the king after his appointment should behave, in
regard to himself; namely, that he should not accumulate chariots and
horses, nor wives, nor immense wealth: because through craving for
such things princes become tyrants and forsake justice. He also
appointed the manner in which they were to conduct themselves towards
God: namely, that they should continually read and ponder on God's
Law, and should ever fear and obey God. Moreover, He decided how they
should behave towards their subjects: namely, that they should not
proudly despise them, or ill-treat them, and that they should not
depart from the paths of justice.

Reply Obj. 3: The divis