Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 17:16

16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself , nor cause the people to return to Egypt , to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, ye shall henceforth no more return that way .

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 Psal. 33. 17. Prov. 21. 31. 4 Much commerce with Egppt, as it here follows, which was famous for Horses, as appears from Exod. 14. 23. 1 King. 10. 26, 28. 2 Chron. 1. 16. and 9. 28. Isa. 31. 1, 3. Ezek. 17. 5.

Either for habitation; or for trade. This God forbad 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.

When or where? Answ. Either implicitely, when he shewed his dislike of their return to Egypt, as Exod. 13. 17. Numb. 14. 3, 4. or expresly at this time, The Lord hath now said it to me, and I in his name, and by his command declare it to you.

In the way that leads to that place.

Marginal references: chap. 28. 68. Hos. 11. 5.