TT #88 · Parashas Shoftim · Second Aliyah · Passuk 17:15
You shall surely set over yourself a king whom the Eternal your God will choose; from among your brethren you shall set a king over yourself; you may not place over yourself a foreigner who is not your brother.
Torah Temimah points to Kiddushin 32b.
TT lemma: תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ.
English: Rav Ashi said: A king who forgoes his honor – his honor is not forgiven, as it is written ‘you shall surely set a king over yourself’ – so that his awe shall be upon you.
Derash on the language of appointment (Bavli) — the mitzvah creates an ongoing duty of awe that the king cannot unilaterally cancel.
The king’s honor belongs to the institution, not only to the person. Even if a king is willing to forgo his own honor, the people remain obligated to treat the office with awe.