He shall not multiply wives for himself: the same verb is used as in the previous verse, meaning “acquire many wives.” This same instruction is given to the Israelite men as a whole (7.3-4).

Lest his heart turn away: these many wives include foreign women who might lead the king to worship pagan gods and thus forsake his loyalty to Yahweh. Contemporary English Version makes this clear with “they might tempt him to be unfaithful to the LORD.”

Greatly multiply for himself silver and gold: the same verb is used again, with the adverb “exceedingly,” “excessively.” In cultures where the precious metals silver and gold are not recognized as a symbol of wealth, a more general expression may be used: “The king must not become very wealthy,” or even “The king must not acquire a great many possessions.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .