He shall not multiply horses to himself, to wit, excessively, beyond what the state and majesty of his place required. Hereby God would prevent many sins and mischiefs, as,
1. Pride of heart, and contempt of his people.
2. Oppression and tyranny, and the imposition of unnecessary burdens upon his people.
3. Carnal confidence, which by this means would be promoted. See Psalms 33:17 Proverbs 21:31.
4. Much commerce with Egypt, as it here follows, which was famous for horses, as appears from Exodus 14:23 1 Kings 10:26,28 2 Chronicles 1:16, 2 Chronicles 9:28 Isaiah 31:1,3 Eze 17:15. Nor cause the people to return to Egypt; either for habitation, or for trade. This God forbade to prevent,
1. Their unthankfulness for their deliverance out of Egypt.
2. Their confederacies with the Egyptians, their trusting to them for aid, which they were very prone to, and their infection by the idolatry and other manifold wickednesses for which Egypt was infamous.
3. Their multiplication of horses, as it here follows. The Lord hath said: when or where? Answ. Either implicitly, when he showed his dislike of their return to Egypt, as Exodus 13:17 Numbers 14:3,4; or expressly at this time, The Lord hath now said it to me, and I in his name, and by his command, declare it to you. That way; in the way that leads to that place.