Deuteronomy 33:4-5
Moses commanded us a law,
even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
And he was king in Jeshurun,
when the heads of the people
and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.
Moses was the King of Israel. When they assembled, he was their head. When God was addressed, he was their mediator. He represented them before Pharaoh and He represented them before God. Moses was the first King of Israel. He gave and upheld the law of the land. He submitted himself to God. He was in authority because he was under authority. He was the giver of the law and subject to it. He led his people into battle and provided his people with land and legislation. He looked after their condition and considered often their future. He did not reign for his benefit, but for theirs. He was not above the law, but under it. He was kept from the promised land because he broke the recorded law. He ruled well because he submitted well.
In other words, as the author of Beowulf, "That was one good king." (Seamus Heaney translation)
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