Definition and Origin
Kingship in the Bible refers to the role and authority of a king as the sovereign ruler over a nation or people. The concept of kingship is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, beginning with the establishment of human governance and extending to the divine kingship of God. The role of a king is often associated with leadership, justice, and the responsibility to uphold God's laws.

Biblical Foundation
The idea of kingship is first introduced in the context of God's sovereignty. God is depicted as the ultimate King, ruling over all creation. In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites demand a human king to lead them, desiring to be like other nations. This request marks a significant transition from theocratic rule to a monarchy. God grants their request but warns them of the potential consequences of human kingship. "And the LORD said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king'" (1 Samuel 8:7).

The United Monarchy
The first king of Israel was Saul, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign, however, was marked by disobedience to God's commands, leading to his rejection by God. David, a man after God's own heart, succeeded Saul and established a united monarchy. David's kingship is characterized by his devotion to God, military conquests, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. "Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'Here we are, your own flesh and blood'" (2 Samuel 5:1).

David's son Solomon succeeded him, known for his wisdom and the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon's reign brought prosperity and peace, but his later years were marred by idolatry and political alliances that led to the division of the kingdom after his death.

The Divided Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the kingdom split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The kings of these divided kingdoms varied in their faithfulness to God. Many kings led the people into idolatry and injustice, prompting prophetic calls for repentance and warnings of impending judgment. Despite the failures of human kings, the prophets foretold the coming of a perfect King from the line of David, who would establish an everlasting kingdom.

Messianic Kingship
The Old Testament prophets, including Isaiah and Jeremiah, prophesied about a future King, the Messiah, who would reign with righteousness and justice. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of this coming King: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore" .

The Kingship of Christ
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whose kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility, servanthood, and sacrificial love. His death and resurrection inaugurated the Kingdom of God, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe. Revelation 19:16 declares, "And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords" .

Theological Significance
Kingship in the Bible underscores the tension between human authority and divine sovereignty. While human kings often failed, God's promise of a righteous and eternal King is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Believers are called to recognize Christ's authority and live as citizens of His kingdom, reflecting His values and advancing His reign on earth.(n.) The state, office, or dignity of a king; royalty.932. basileia -- kingdom, sovereignty, royal power
... royal power. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: basileia Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-il-i'-ah) Short Definition: kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/932.htm - 7k4410. melukah -- kingship, royalty
... 4409, 4410. melukah. 4411 . kingship, royalty. Transliteration: melukah
Phonetic Spelling: (mel-oo-kaw') Short Definition: kingdom. ...
/hebrew/4410.htm - 6k

4438. malkuth -- royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
... Word Origin from the same as melek Definition royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
NASB Word Usage kingdom (41), kingdoms (2), kingship (1), realm (3), reign ...
/hebrew/4438.htm - 6k

Kingship.
... KINGSHIP. Art thou a king then? ... To be love-helper to one heart, for its joy, and
the glory of his father, was the beginning of true kingship! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/kingship.htm

A King in the Stuff
... boy. A great many things about a boy in which he hides his kingship seem
no better than the worthless stuff in which Saul hid. There ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a king in the stuff.htm

Six Facts Underlying Prayer.
... The kingship of its life, the control and mastery of its forces.[5]. ... The kingship
or rulership of the earth which was given to man is now Satan's. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/six facts underlying prayer.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... basis of His work, without knowledge of which that of His Divinity would have been
a barren, speculative abstraction, and that of His Kingship a Jewish fleshly ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

The Government of the Church.
... The individual church, still mindful of the kingship of Jesus, professes to bow
unconditionally to His kingly Word as contained in the Scripture. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the government of the.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... He withheld not from His righteous ones; even as, though He is the great King, without
grudging He applied the great and honourable name of Kingship to men who ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

The Sentence which Condemned the Judges
... He had a right to know whether this strange criminal was dangerous to Rome, because
He claimed kingship, and, if he were satisfied that He was not, his bounden ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the sentence which condemned the.htm

Christ as Anointed (Christ) and as King.
... Anointing is a symbol of entering on the kingship, and sometimes also on the priesthood;
and must we therefore conclude that the kingship of the Son of God is ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/30 christ as anointed christ.htm

The Allegory of Melchizedek.
... The Psalmist desires a better priesthood and a better kingship. ... The kingship
of Melchizedek, it appears, involves that he is priest. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter vii the allegory of.htm

The Crucifixion.
... They had insisted that Jesus' kingship was dangerous enough to justify his crucifixion;
but now (if politically and temporally interpreted) they admit that his ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 2.htm

Kingship (17 Occurrences)
...Kingship (17 Occurrences). ... (WEY). 2 Timothy 2:12 "If we patiently endure pain, we
shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us; (WEY) ...
/k/kingship.htm - 11k

Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... The fable tells of the kingship of the trees which, after having been declined
by all useful plants, was finally offered to the bramble. ...
/j/jotham.htm - 25k

Primogeniture
... firstborn to inherit the headship of the family, carrying with it certain property
rights and usually such titles as those of the high-priesthood or kingship. ...
/p/primogeniture.htm - 13k

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)
... Consequent upon the overthrow of Edom is the enlargement of the borders
of Judah and the establishment of the kingship of Yahweh. ...
/o/obadiah.htm - 32k

Share (138 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and imploring you to live lives worthy of
fellowship with God who is inviting you to share His own Kingship and glory. (WEY) ...
/s/share.htm - 37k

King (25505 Occurrences)
... See JESUS CHRIST; KING, CHRIST AS. KING, CHRIST AS. " I. THE REALITY OF CHRIST'S
KINGSHIP 1. The Old Testament Foreshadowings In the Psalms and Prophets 2. The ...
/k/king.htm - 64k

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

/k/kinnereth.htm - 8k

Accommodation (1 Occurrence)
... The Kingdom and the Kingship are described in terms of the ideal and that ideal
is used in every age as the ground of immediate appeal to loyalty and devotion ...
/a/accommodation.htm - 39k

Messiah (9 Occurrences)
... the prophet is not an ideal figure, being already fully inspired by the Spirit,
prophetic functions are to this extent associated with the kingship, that the ...
/m/messiah.htm - 43k

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... But the kingship was always elective, and the army chose Omri, the commander-in-
chief, who besieged and took Tirzah, Zimri setting the palace on fire by his ...
/k/kingdom.htm - 101k

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