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These extracts are from chapters I.xvi, I.xviii and I.xxvi of De Natura Legis Naturae. They are slightly amended versions of the translation by Lord Clermont, published in his 1869 edition, volume I
Answer to the second cause of the war above mentioned. But the author first distinguishes the law (ius) of a king reigning royally from the law (ius) of a king ruling politically and royally
O Samuel, Prophet of the Lord, the Lord did not command you to proclaim to the people of Israel the law of what king soever they pleased, but He Himself, incited to that severity by the inconsiderate request of the people, said to you, ‘Hear you their voice, but take them to witness, and tell them beforehand the law of the king (ius regis), not of every king, but of the king who is to reign over them.’ Nor did you, the Prophet, set before them the law of a king in general, but following faithfully the command of God, you said to the people, ‘This is the law of the king (ius regis) who is to rule over you. He shall take your sons and put them in his chariots,’ etc.
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