Deuteronomy 21:18

“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, etc.] It is observed f293 that this law quickly follows, and is subjoined to that which relates to the marriage of a woman taken captive, because often from such marriages wicked and refractory children have sprung, and which they exemplify in the case of Absalom, whose mother they say David took in war and married: the character of such a son follows, and by which it may be known that he is stubborn and rebellious; stubborn in his nature, and rebellious in his actions; behaves contrary to the laws of God, and the instructions of his parents; what he should do, that he does not; and what he should not do, that he does; will not do what is…”

“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son--A severe law was enacted in this case. But the consent of both parents was required as a prevention of any abuse of it; for it was reasonable to suppose that they would not both agree to a criminal information against their son except from absolute necessity, arising from his inveterate and hopeless wickedness; and, in that view, the law was wise and salutary, as such a person would be a pest and nuisance to society. The punishment was that to which blasphemers were doomed [Lev 24:23]; for parents are considered God's representatives and invested with a portion of his authority over their children.”

“The formal accusation of parents against a child was to be received without inquiry, as being its own proof. Thus the just authority of the parents is recognized and effectually upheld (compare Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:15, Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9); but the extreme and irresponsible power of life and death, conceded by the law of Rome and other pagan nations, is withheld from the Israelite father. In this, as in the last law, provision is made against the abuses of a necessary authority. return to 'Top of Page'”

“have a stubborn: Pro 28:24, Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17; Isa 1:2 obey the voice: Deu 27:16; Exo 20:12, Exo 21:15, Exo 21:17; Lev 19:3, Lev 21:9; Pro 15:5, Pro 20:20; Eze 22:7 when they: Deu 8:5; Sa2 7:14; Pro 13:24, Pro 19:18, Pro 22:15, Pro 23:13, Pro 23:14, Pro 29:17; Heb 12:9-11 will not: Isa 1:5; Jer 5:3, Jer 31:18; Eze 24:13; Amo 4:11, Amo 4:12 Deuteronomy 21:19”

“Punishment of a Refractory Son. - The laws upon this point aim not only at the defence, but also at the limitation, of parental authority. If any one's son was unmanageable and refractory, not hearkening to the voice of his parents, even when they chastised him, his father and mother were to take him and lead him out to the elders of the town into the gate of the place. The elders are not regarded here as judges in the strict sense of the word, but as magistrates, who had to uphold the parental authority, and administer the local police. The gate of the town was the forum, where the public affairs of the place were discussed (cf. Deu 22:15; Deu 25:7); as it is in the present day in Syria…”