Deuteronomy 17:18 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 18. When he sitteth upon the throne—he shall write him a copy of this law— Either this book of Deuteronomy, which is an abstract of the law, or, as others think, the whole five books of Moses; and that with his own hand, as a mean to fix it more strongly in his mind; insomuch, that though a copy was left him by his father, he was, notwithstanding, to transcribe one for himself. So the Jews understand it: and in like manner they tell us, that every private Israelite was bound to write a copy of the law: but it may well be questioned, whether the king of Israel was obliged to write such a copy with his own hand; as Philo assures us, that it was sufficient if he caused it to be written by another: it is frequent in Scripture to say, that a person does that which he commands to be done. See 2 Samuel 13:28; 2 Samuel 13:30 and John Frischmuth's Dissertation, sect. 51. Out of that which is before the priests, means the original uncorrupted copy, which was kept in the sanctuary, in the custody of God's ministers.