Topical Bible: King: Not Hereditary

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In the biblical context, the concept of kingship is often associated with hereditary succession, particularly in the line of David. However, there are notable instances in Scripture where kingship is not hereditary, highlighting God's sovereign choice and the unique circumstances that led to the rise of certain leaders.

Saul: The First King of Israel

The first king of Israel, Saul, was not part of a hereditary monarchy. His selection as king was a direct response to the Israelites' demand for a king to lead them, as recorded in 1 Samuel 8. The people desired a king "like all the other nations" (1 Samuel 8:5), and God instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul, a Benjamite, as king. Saul's kingship was established by divine appointment rather than hereditary succession, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:16: "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him ruler over My people Israel."

David: Chosen by God

David's rise to kingship also illustrates a non-hereditary transition. Although he eventually established a hereditary dynasty, David himself was chosen by God from outside the reigning family. Saul's disobedience led to God's rejection of his lineage, and God sent Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as king (1 Samuel 16:1-13). David's selection underscores the principle that God looks at the heart rather than external qualifications (1 Samuel 16:7).

Jeroboam: The Division of the Kingdom

After Solomon's reign, the kingdom of Israel was divided, and Jeroboam became the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam was not of royal lineage; he was an Ephraimite and a servant of Solomon. His rise to power was prophesied by Ahijah the Shilonite, who told Jeroboam that God would give him ten tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-31). This division was a result of Solomon's idolatry and the people's discontent, demonstrating that kingship could be established outside of hereditary lines when ordained by God.

Jehu: Anointed by a Prophet

Jehu's ascension to the throne of Israel is another example of non-hereditary kingship. He was a commander in the army of Israel when the prophet Elisha sent a young prophet to anoint him as king (2 Kings 9:1-13). Jehu's anointing was part of God's judgment against the house of Ahab, and his rise to power was marked by divine intervention rather than familial succession.

Conclusion

These examples illustrate that while hereditary succession became a norm in the Davidic line, the Bible records several instances where kingship was established through divine selection and prophetic anointing, emphasizing God's ultimate authority over the leadership of His people.

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1 Chronicles 1:43-51
Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
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Library

'Make us a King'
... introduction, in however slight a degree, of the hereditary principle, was not only
politically a ... consequences of that act, in the clamour for a king. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/make us a king.htm

The King's Potters
... of the tribe of Judah were a hereditary caste of ... mean on the royal estates, for the
king himself resided ... the royal estates and kept in comfort, not needing to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the kings potters.htm

Chapter xxxvi
... that the line of succession in Edom was not hereditary. Not one of these eight kings
succeeded his father. ... his royal city where he established himself as king. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

We are Warned not Only in Civil Law, but Also in the Holy ...
... of the shouts of the people; also, that the king of Ai ... thought the peace they had
made could not be broken ... down to this day [669] in their hereditary service. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x we are warned.htm

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... The principle of hereditary monarchy secures peaceful succession, but not continuity
of policy. Many a king of Judah had to say in his heart what Ecclesiastes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... From the crucible of affliction through which they were to pass because of hereditary
and cultivated tendencies ... Who would not fear Thee, O King of nations? ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... had already held, and that offices which in themselves were hereditary should now ...
But when at the Feast of Tabernacles the Syrian king not only granted a truce ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Book 11 Footnotes
... occasion, were Amalekites, their old and hereditary enemies, Exodus ... till he came
to their last king Darius, who ... that Josephus did not do ill in admitting those ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 11 footnotes.htm

A Night on the Lake
... Would Christ never assert His authority as king? ... experience on the sea, he would
not have failed ... is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 40 a night on.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... that, according to the principles of hereditary succession which ... while Xerxes was
the son of Darius the king. ... his successor in case he should not return from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm