Topical Bible: Kings: Able to Enforce Their Commands

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In the biblical narrative, kings are often depicted as figures of authority and power, able to enforce their commands and govern their people. This ability is seen as both a divine mandate and a practical necessity for maintaining order and justice within the kingdom. The Bible provides numerous examples of kings who exercised their authority effectively, as well as those who failed to do so, highlighting the importance of righteous leadership.

1. Divine Appointment and Authority

The concept of kingship in the Bible is frequently associated with divine appointment. Kings were often anointed by prophets, signifying God's choice and blessing upon their reign. For instance, Saul, the first king of Israel, was anointed by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1). This anointing was a symbol of God's authority bestowed upon the king, enabling him to enforce commands and lead the nation.

2. The Role of the King

The primary role of a king was to govern the people, enforce laws, and ensure justice. In Deuteronomy 17:18-20 , the king is instructed to write for himself a copy of the law and read it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD and follow His commandments. This underscores the expectation that a king's authority is to be exercised in accordance with God's law.

3. Examples of Kings Enforcing Commands

· David: King David is a prime example of a king who effectively enforced his commands. His military conquests and administrative reforms established Israel as a powerful nation. David's ability to enforce his commands is evident in his dealings with internal rebellions, such as the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18). Despite personal failings, David's reign is often seen as a model of effective leadership.

· Solomon: Solomon, David's son, is renowned for his wisdom and ability to enforce his commands. His reign is marked by peace and prosperity, largely due to his wise governance and the establishment of a strong administrative system (1 Kings 4:20-25). Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem is a testament to his ability to mobilize resources and labor for national projects (1 Kings 6).

· Hezekiah: King Hezekiah of Judah is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem. His ability to enforce these commands is seen in his removal of high places and destruction of idols, aligning the nation more closely with the worship of Yahweh (2 Kings 18:1-6).

4. Failures in Enforcement

Not all kings were successful in enforcing their commands. The Bible also records the failures of certain kings, often attributing these failures to disobedience to God. For example, King Saul's inability to fully obey God's commands led to his downfall and loss of the kingdom (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Similarly, King Rehoboam's harsh policies and failure to heed wise counsel resulted in the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:13-19).

5. The Ultimate King

In Christian theology, Jesus Christ is seen as the ultimate King, whose authority surpasses all earthly kings. His ability to enforce His commands is not through coercion but through love and truth. Revelation 19:16 describes Him as "King of kings and Lord of lords," emphasizing His supreme authority and the fulfillment of the biblical ideal of kingship.

Throughout the Bible, the ability of kings to enforce their commands is portrayed as a crucial aspect of their role. Whether through military might, wise governance, or religious reform, the effectiveness of a king's rule is often measured by his ability to maintain order and justice in accordance with divine principles.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 8:4
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... the law:" "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save ... in view, in removing grounds
of offence, than to enforce the divine ... of the God of that land (2 Kings 17:24 ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

In Pilate's Judgment Hall
... take their word as to Christ's guilt, and enforce their sentence. ... a name will be
written, "King of kings, and Lord ... wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 77 in pilates judgment.htm

Letter Lxxxii. To Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria.
... Men's speeches may be all for unity but their actions may enforce bondage ... of exile
against me, and I only wish that he had been able to carry ... 2510] 1 Kings 12:10 ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxxii to theophilus bishop.htm

Paul, the Teacher of Prayer
... These primary and vital truths he would enforce on and radicate in Timothy. ... "For
kings and all that ... Paul just passes us on to Him, "who is able to do exceeding ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xii paul the teacher of.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... the offering of the blood of Christ, able to cleanse ... I write unto you, little children."
To enforce this the ... and calm voice which came to Elijah, 1 Kings 19:11 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi my little children.htm

Divine Sovereignty.
... that his will is law, whether we are able to see ... If infinite benevolence shall not
declare and enforce law, what ... 1 Kings xxii.20: "And the Lord said, Who shall ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlv divine sovereignty.htm

Matt. Ii. 4, 5
... to the house of the young Child; though kings, though nations ... from sin, and thou
wilt quickly be able to mount ... done in Sodom; nevertheless, I do not enforce this ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vii matt ii 4.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... seen and heard of in this world, of kings and rich ... Christ for righteousness and life,
who is both able to save ... Now from all this I would enforce this duty upon ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... should, so soon as they are able, endeavour at ... scruple not to affirm, That wicked
kings and magistrates ... is it any piece of religion to enforce religion; which ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... only would the legislators have liked to enforce those laws ... 2893] quoted from the
third book of Kings, which Paul ... are indicated to those who are able to test ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm