Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, queens who counsel kings play significant roles, often influencing decisions and events that shape the course of history. These women, through their wisdom, courage, and faith, provide guidance to their royal husbands, demonstrating the importance of godly counsel in leadership.Esther: The Courageous Advocate One of the most prominent examples of a queen who counseled the king is Queen Esther. As the wife of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia, Esther finds herself in a position to save her people, the Jews, from a decree of annihilation orchestrated by the king's advisor, Haman. Despite the risk to her own life, Esther approaches the king with a carefully crafted plan. Her counsel is marked by wisdom and timing, as she invites the king and Haman to a series of banquets before revealing her true request. Esther 7:3-4 records her plea: "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and my people as my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated." Esther's counsel leads to the king's intervention, resulting in the salvation of the Jewish people and the downfall of Haman. Bathsheba: The Influential Mother Bathsheba, the wife of King David and mother of Solomon, also plays a crucial role in advising the king. Her influence is particularly evident in the transition of power from David to Solomon. In 1 Kings 1, as David's health declines, Bathsheba approaches him to remind him of his promise that Solomon would succeed him as king. Her counsel is strategic and timely, ensuring the fulfillment of God's plan for Solomon's reign. 1 Kings 1:17 records her words: "My lord, you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: 'Surely your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.'" Bathsheba's intervention secures Solomon's position as king, demonstrating her pivotal role in the Davidic dynasty. Jezebel: The Misguided Advisor In contrast to Esther and Bathsheba, Queen Jezebel serves as an example of ungodly counsel. As the wife of King Ahab of Israel, Jezebel's influence leads Ahab into idolatry and wickedness. Her counsel is characterized by manipulation and a disregard for the God of Israel. In 1 Kings 21, Jezebel orchestrates the unjust execution of Naboth to secure his vineyard for Ahab, demonstrating her willingness to use her influence for evil purposes. Her actions ultimately contribute to the downfall of Ahab's house, as prophesied by Elijah. The Role of Queens in Biblical Leadership The biblical accounts of queens who counsel kings highlight the significant impact of their guidance, whether for good or ill. These narratives underscore the importance of wisdom, faith, and righteousness in leadership. Proverbs 31:10-12 speaks to the value of a virtuous woman: "A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will lack nothing of value. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life." This passage reflects the ideal of a queen who counsels her king with integrity and godliness, contributing to the prosperity and righteousness of the kingdom. Nave's Topical Index Daniel 5:10-12Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spoke and said, O king, live for ever: let not your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance be changed: Nave's Topical Index Library That the Love of God's Will Signified in the Commandments Moves us ... Ezekiel's vision (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, June 16 ... A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ... The Wisdom of God's Counsels Counsels and Reminiscences of Soeur Therese, the Little Flower of ... The King James Version --Its Influence on English and American ... Severinus in Germany. Esther in Danger of Her Life Followed the Grace of virtue... The Unseen Watcher Degrees of Sin Resources What is the Queen James Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Queen of Heaven? | GotQuestions.org Who was the Queen of Sheba? | GotQuestions.org Queen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |