Ver. 4. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass—fall down by the way, &c.— See Exodus 23:5. A famous example to this purpose is mentioned of Alphonsus, king of Naples, who, travelling upon a road, attended by a great retinue of courtiers, saw an ass with a heavy burden fallen into a deep slough: all who went before the king, passed by without any regard; but when he came to the place, he stopped, went himself to the driver, and lent him assistance to help the ass out of the mire. No one can fail remarking upon this law, how attentive Moses is to recommend the duties of justice, charity, and humanity.
Note; God would herein teach us, 1. To be ready for every friendly office to our neighbour. 2. To be strictly honest and upright, in retaining nothing of his, that came, however secretly, into our possession. 3. If such care is enjoined towards a lost sheep, how much more should it be shewn towards a lost soul!