Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 36:31

31 And these are the Kings that reigned in the land of Edom , before there reigned any King over the children of Israel .

He speaks of the posterity of Esau who after they had subdued the Horites erected a Kingdom there.

Here prophane wi[illegible: 1+ letters]s triumph. How, say they, could Moses write this, when as yet there was no King in Israel? Answ. 1. The word may be taken for any chief Governour, in which sense the Title of King is given to Moses, Deut. 33. 5. and to the Judges, Iudg. 17. 6. and to others who were not Kings properly so called, Psal. 119. 46. Luke 22. 25. Acts 9. 15. &c. Answ. 2. Moses might well say thus, because he did by the spirit of Prophesieforesee and therefore could foretell that the Israelites would have a King, as appears from Deut. 17. 14, 15. Answ. 3. This, with other clauses of the same nature might be inserted afterwards by some holy and inspired man of God, as it is confessed that part of the last chapter of Deuteronomy was.

Marginal references: 1 Chro. 1. 43.