Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.”
13. Take you wise men. Hence it more plainly appears that those who were to preside in judgment were not appointed only by the will of Moses, but. elected by the votes of the people. And this is the most desirable kind c f liberty, that we should not be compelled to obey every’ person who may be tyrannically put over our heads; but which...
Moses here reminds them of the happy constitution of their government, which was such as might make them all safe and easy if it was not their own fault. When good laws were given them good men were entrusted with the execution of them, which, as it was an instance of God's goodness to them, so it was of the care of Moses concerning them...
Commenting on Deuteronomy 1:9-18
Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. (k) Whose godliness and uprightness is known.