Topical Bible: King: Precepts Concerning

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The concept of kingship in the Bible is deeply rooted in the divine order and governance established by God. The role of a king is not merely political but is imbued with spiritual and moral responsibilities. The precepts concerning kingship are outlined in various passages of Scripture, providing guidance on the character, duties, and limitations of a king.

Divine Appointment and Authority

The Bible emphasizes that kingship is a divine appointment. In 1 Samuel 9:16, God tells Samuel about Saul, "At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him ruler over My people Israel." This indicates that the authority of a king is derived from God, and he is to rule as God's representative on earth.

Moral and Spiritual Responsibilities

A king is expected to uphold God's law and lead the people in righteousness. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 provides specific instructions for a king: "When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes." This passage underscores the importance of a king's personal devotion to God's law, ensuring that his rule aligns with divine principles.

Limitations and Warnings

The Bible also sets forth limitations on the power and behavior of a king. Deuteronomy 17:16-17 warns against the accumulation of excessive wealth and power: "He must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said to you, 'You are never to go back that way again.' He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold." These restrictions are intended to prevent the king from becoming prideful and leading the nation away from God.

Justice and Righteousness

A king is called to administer justice and righteousness. Psalm 72:1-2, a prayer for the king, states, "Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice." The king's role as a judge is central to maintaining social order and reflecting God's justice on earth.

Servant Leadership

The model of kingship in the Bible is one of servant leadership. Jesus Christ, referred to as the King of Kings, exemplifies this in Matthew 20:25-28: "But Jesus called them aside and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.'" This teaching highlights the expectation that a king should prioritize the welfare of his people over personal gain.

Consequences of Disobedience

The Bible records the consequences of kings who failed to adhere to God's precepts. King Saul's disobedience led to his rejection by God, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:26: "But Samuel said to him, 'I will not return with you, because you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.'" Similarly, King Solomon's turning away from God due to his many foreign wives resulted in the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 11:11).

Conclusion

The biblical precepts concerning kingship emphasize a balance of authority, responsibility, and humility. A king is to be a steward of God's justice, a model of righteousness, and a servant to his people, always mindful of the divine source of his authority and the moral imperatives that accompany it.

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Deuteronomy 17:14-19
When you are come to the land which the LORD your God gives you, and shall possess it, and shall dwell therein, and shall say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
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Proverbs 31:4,5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
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Ezekiel 46:16-18
Thus said the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift to any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance.
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Library

Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
... that the Old Law made unfitting precepts concerning rulers ... and yet we find therein
prescriptions concerning the inferior ... is to be ruled by a king: because this ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law enjoined.htm

Epistle Lxiv. To Rogatianus, Concerning the Deacon who Contended ...
... To Rogatianus, Concerning the Deacon Who Contended Against the ... priests." [2728] Mindful
of which precepts, the blessed ... Jesus Christ Himself, our King, and Judge ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiv to rogatianus concerning.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... answer to be written to you again concerning these things ... a people obedient to the
Lord's precepts, and fearing ... They have set up for themselves a king, but not ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty ...
... About this period the king of the Saracens died ... and to all orthodox doctrines concerning
the Godhead ... them regulate their lives according to the Jewish precepts. ...
/.../chapter xxxviii concerning mania the phylarch.htm

The Law of God
... The Ceremonial Law is that which contains the precepts concerning the outward worship
of God ... Children of Israel, of whom He was in a peculiar manner the king. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 12 the law of.htm

The Same Pope Also Wrote to King Edwin's Consort...
... conversion of our illustrious son, King Eadbald, that ... our fatherly love earnestly
inquired concerning your illustrious ... to him the Divine precepts; pouring into ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xi the same pope.htm

Concerning Baptism.
... and gives precepts concerning some temporary things, as the ... some principles common
with Protestants concerning it; as ... crime, by the order of king Robert of ...
/.../proposition xii concerning baptism.htm

That from Henceforth, no Double Monastery Shall be Erected; and ...
... and shall be ordered by his precepts, monks and ... monasteries in the XV^th century,
concerning which Thomas ... in England, writes that in 1414, King Henry founded ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xx that from henceforth.htm

The Benefits of an Early Piety
... to flesh and blood; and that all those precepts concerning self-denial ... for a person
then to hear the precepts of the ... to look upon death, not as a king of terrors ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the benefits of an early.htm

What Things are Predicted by Isaiah Concerning Christ and the ...
... What Things are Predicted by Isaiah Concerning Christ and ... with his rebukes of wickedness,
precepts of righteousness ... the Church, that is, about the King and that ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 29 what things are predicted.htm