Topical Bible: Kings: Arrayed in Royal Apparel

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The concept of kings being arrayed in royal apparel is a significant theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing authority, majesty, and the divine right to rule. This imagery is often used to convey the splendor and power associated with kingship, as well as the responsibilities and expectations placed upon those who wear such garments.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

1. Solomon's Splendor: King Solomon is perhaps the most notable example of a king arrayed in royal apparel. His wealth and wisdom were legendary, and his clothing reflected his status. In 1 Kings 10:4-5 , the Queen of Sheba is overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his court, including "the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his waiters, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he offered at the house of the LORD." Solomon's attire and the grandeur of his court were a testament to his God-given wisdom and prosperity.

2. Herod's Pride: In the New Testament, King Herod Agrippa I is described as being arrayed in royal apparel during a public address. Acts 12:21-23 recounts, "On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. And they began to shout, 'This is the voice of a god, not a man!' Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died." Herod's royal apparel symbolizes his earthly power, but his failure to acknowledge God leads to his downfall, illustrating the transient nature of human glory.

3. Esther and Mordecai: The Book of Esther provides another perspective on royal apparel. When Mordecai is honored by King Ahasuerus, he is clothed in royal garments. Esther 6:8-9 describes the king's command: "Let them bring a royal robe that the king has worn and a horse on which the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes, so that he may array the man the king wishes to honor." This act of clothing Mordecai in royal apparel signifies the king's favor and the reversal of fortune for the Jewish people.

4. Prophetic Imagery: The prophets also use the imagery of royal apparel to convey messages about God's relationship with His people. In Isaiah 61:10 , the prophet declares, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Here, the royal apparel symbolizes the righteousness and salvation bestowed by God, highlighting the spiritual significance of being clothed by the divine.

Theological Implications

The imagery of kings arrayed in royal apparel serves as a reminder of the divine authority bestowed upon rulers and the responsibilities that come with such power. It underscores the belief that true kingship is not merely about external splendor but about ruling with justice, wisdom, and a heart aligned with God's will. The Bible consistently emphasizes that earthly power is subordinate to divine authority, and those who wear royal apparel are ultimately accountable to God.

In the broader biblical narrative, royal apparel also points to the ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ, who, though not arrayed in earthly splendor during His time on earth, is recognized as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His reign is characterized by humility, sacrifice, and eternal glory, setting the standard for all who are called to lead.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 22:30
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put you on your robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 6:29
And yet I say to you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... in Babylon under the last kings, and probably ... Arrayed richly as circumstances would
permit, the beautiful ... behold Esther, with her royal apparel thrown aside ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/hebrew captives or mordecai and.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death ...
... the sackcloth of this corrupt flesh) shall be arrayed with the ... Esther 1:4), and have
the crown-royal set upon ... done to him whom the King of kings delighteth to ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/3 meditations of the blessed.htm

Herod and Peter.
... second day of the games, as Josephus informs us, sat upon his throne, arrayed in
royal apparel, curiously wrought ... Truth seldom reaches the ears of kings. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... a gold chain on his neck, and arrayed him in ... keeper of the citadel and of the royal
treasure, strewed ... are wont to sing the praises of the kings; the Chaldeans ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Beauty for Ashes
... but when he returned from the slaughter of the kings. ... the anointing, then afterwards
he is arrayed in robes ... in all his glory wore not such right royal apparel. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm

The Exodus
... the only wise God, the King of kings, hath a ... for his wedding, and their wives seem
like royal brides clad ... God, when he comes out of Egypt, is arrayed in goodly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... where was all the refuge of the hostile kings. ... staff, and my girdle, and my royal
crown; and I ... spirits of jealousy and of fornication arrayed themselves within ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

2 Timothy ii. 7-Jan
... Observe the kings on earth, how great an honor it is ... who had armies at his command,
and sat arrayed in purple ... seen; but the other lies in the royal city itself ...
/.../homily iv 2 timothy ii.htm

Huss and Jerome
... a pontifical procession"the pope arrayed in his ... safe-conducts from the emperor and
kings.""Jacques Lenfant ... princes of the empire, the royal deputies, the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm

The Covenant of Grace
... a covenant of grace, because it is a royal charter, all ... wash in the great laver,
but were arrayed with glorious ... said to Gehazi, Take two talents,' 2 Kings 5:z3 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of grace.htm