Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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And, if the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, no doubt he had a great many causes brought before him, and the more because their trials put them to no expense, nor was the law costly to them. When a quarrel happened in Egypt, and Moses would have reconciled the contenders, they asked, Who made thee a prince and a judge? But now it was past dispute that God had made him one; and they humbly attend him whom they had then proudly rejected.
14 And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he
said, what is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
Such was the business Moses was called to, and it appears that he did it,
(1.) With great consideration, which, some think, is intimated in his posture: he sat to judge (Ex 18:13), composed and sedate.
(2.) With great condescension to the people, who stood by him, Ex 18:14. He was very easy of access; the meanest Israelite was welcome himself to bring his cause before him.
(3.) With great constancy and closeness of application.
[1.] Though Jethro, his father-in-law, was with him, which might have given him a good pretence for a vacation (he might have adjourned the court for that day, or at least have shortened it), yet he sat, even the next day after his coming, from morning till evening. Note, Necessary business must always take place of ceremonious attentions. It is too great a compliment to our friends to prefer the enjoyment of their company before our duty to God, which ought to be done, while yet the other is not left undone.