which the constitutions are established.  For whereas these differ in kind, as the Philosopher states (Polit. iii, 5), nevertheless the first place is held by the kingdom, where the power of government is vested in one; and aristocracy, which signifies government by the best, where the power of government is vested in a few.  Accordingly, the best form of government is in a state or kingdom, where one is given the power to preside over all; while under him are others having governing powers:  and yet a government of this kind is shared by all, both because all are eligible to govern, and because the rules are chosen by all.  For this is the best form of polity, being partly kingdom, since there is one at the head of all; partly aristocracy, in so far as a number of persons are set in authority; partly democracy, i.e. government by the people, in so far as the rulers can be chosen from the people, and the people have the right to choose their rulers.

Such was the form of government established by the Divine Law.  For Moses and his successors governed the people in such a way that each of them was ruler over all; so that there was a kind of kingdom.  Moreover, seventy-two men were chosen, who were elders in virtue:  for it is written (Deut. 1:15):  “I took out of your tribes wise and honorable, and appointed them rulers”:  so that there was an element of aristocracy.  But it was a democratical government in so far as the rulers were chosen from all the people; for it is written (Ex. 18:21):  “Provide out of all the people wise [Vulg.:  ‘able’] men,” etc.; and, again, in so far as they were chosen by the people; wherefore it is written (Deut. 1:13):  “Let me have from among you wise [Vulg.:  ‘able’] men,” etc.  Consequently it is evident that the ordering of the rulers was well provided for by the Law.

Reply Obj. 1:  This people was governed under the special care of God:  wherefore it is written (Deut. 7:6):  “The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be His peculiar people”:  and this is why the Lord reserved to Himself the institution of the chief ruler.  For this too did Moses pray (Num. 27:16):  “May the Lord the God of the spirits of all the flesh provide a man, that may be over this multitude.”  Thus by God’s orders Josue was set at the head in place of Moses; and we read about each of the judges who succeeded Josue that God “raised . . . up a saviour” for the people, and that “the spirit of the Lord was” in them (Judges 3:9, 10, 15).  Hence the Lord did not leave the choice of a king to the people; but reserved this to Himself, as appears from Deut. 17:15:  “Thou shalt set him whom the Lord thy God shall choose.”