Topical Bible: King: Loyalty To, Enjoined

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In the biblical context, loyalty to a king is a theme that is woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of allegiance and faithfulness to the divinely appointed ruler. This loyalty is often portrayed as a reflection of one's obedience to God, who establishes and deposes kings according to His sovereign will.

Divine Appointment of Kings

The Bible underscores that kings are appointed by God, and thus, loyalty to them is an extension of loyalty to God Himself. In 1 Samuel 10:1, we see the prophet Samuel anointing Saul as king over Israel, signifying God's choice: "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'" . This divine appointment calls for the people's allegiance to the king as God's chosen leader.

Obedience and Submission

Scripture enjoins believers to submit to their rulers as an act of obedience to God. Romans 13:1-2 instructs, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" . This passage highlights the theological foundation for loyalty to the king, rooted in the understanding that all authority is established by God.

Examples of Loyalty

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated loyalty to their king. One notable example is David's loyalty to King Saul, despite Saul's attempts to kill him. In 1 Samuel 24:6, David refrains from harming Saul, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the LORD’s anointed" . David's respect for Saul's position as the anointed king exemplifies the principle of loyalty to God's chosen leader.

Consequences of Disloyalty

Conversely, the Scriptures also warn of the consequences of disloyalty to the king. In 1 Kings 2:28-34, Joab's betrayal and subsequent execution serve as a cautionary tale of the repercussions of disloyalty. Joab's actions against King Solomon's authority ultimately led to his downfall, illustrating the biblical principle that disloyalty to the king is tantamount to rebellion against God's ordained order.

Loyalty in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of loyalty to earthly rulers is reiterated, albeit with a focus on the ultimate kingship of Christ. Jesus Himself acknowledges the role of earthly authorities in Matthew 22:21, saying, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s" . This statement affirms the believer's duty to respect and be loyal to earthly rulers while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate for loyalty to the king is a reflection of the broader principle of submission to God's established order. Through both Old and New Testament teachings, the Scriptures call believers to honor and respect their leaders, recognizing their authority as part of God's divine plan.

Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 16:14,15
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Nave's Topical Index

Ecclesiastes 10:20
Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Early Welcome and the First Ministers of the King
... between message and hearers, which He enjoined on His ... aspirations that greatened
and inspired, the King appeared. ... Him; and while the transient loyalty of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the early welcome and the.htm

The Entry into Jerusalem.
... Passover, on which the Jews were enjoined by the ... Thus with every demonstration of
loyalty, with ceaseless shoutings ... Blessed is the King that cometh in the name ...
/.../ii the entry into jerusalem.htm

Appendix V in the Directory.
... their position as members was quite inconsistent with their loyalty to the King
and their ... holy to the LORD, and an entire abstinence was enjoined, not only ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/appendix v in the directory.htm

The Period of Controversy, 1614-1645.
... The loyalty of the Scots to the Stuarts is proverbial ... prepared, forwarded to London
for the King's approval, and ... it, in which civil authorities were enjoined to. ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter v the period of.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... kingdom peacemakers outrank them, for the King himself is a ... strictly to the virtues
which Christ enjoined, we shall ... his truth is called bigotry; loyalty to his ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 2.htm

The Sin of Silence
... Nay, even the promise is made conditional upon the discharge of the duty enjoined. ...
do more than He commands us, in token of our loyalty to the King, and of ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the sin of silence.htm

The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they Uttered ...
... in which it is said, "A king is not ... the most divine Diocletian and Maximianus, which
enjoined that the ... Licinius successfully, he must secure the loyalty of all ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the overthrow of the.htm

What Carey did for Literature and for Humanity
... Life of Raja Pratapaditya, the last king of Sagar ... silly rumours and promoting
contentment if not loyalty. ... the pundits whether the woman is "enjoined" by the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xi what carey did.htm

The Caroline Settlement
... his exile, to convey to his Majesty expressions of loyalty. ... had followed the fortunes
of the King throughout the ... It enjoined them "to review the Book of Common ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iv the caroline settlement.htm

Covenant Duties.
... men, and at the same time enjoined duties, ought ... to the injunction, "Honour the king,"
respect, far ... evaporates in hacknied expressions of loyalty employed in ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm