In the biblical narrative, kings are often depicted as powerful rulers with significant authority over their realms. However, the Scriptures also emphasize their dependence on the earth and its resources, highlighting the divine order that even the mightiest of rulers are subject to God's creation and providence.

Creation and Dominion

The concept of kingship in the Bible is rooted in the creation narrative, where God grants humanity dominion over the earth. Genesis 1:28 states, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" This dominion is a stewardship, indicating that kings, like all people, are caretakers of God's creation, dependent on the earth for sustenance and prosperity.

Provision and Sustenance

Throughout the Old Testament, the prosperity of a king and his kingdom is often linked to the fertility of the land. For instance, King Solomon's wealth and wisdom are described in connection with the abundance of resources in his kingdom. 1 Kings 4:20-21 notes, "The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing. Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life." The prosperity of Solomon's reign is depicted as a time of peace and abundance, reliant on the earth's yield.

Judgment and Consequences

The dependence of kings on the earth is also evident in the consequences of their actions. When kings disobey God, the land often suffers as a result. In 1 Kings 17, the prophet Elijah declares a drought in Israel as a judgment against King Ahab's idolatry. 1 Kings 17:1 states, "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'" The drought serves as a reminder of the king's dependence on God's provision through the earth.

Restoration and Blessing

Conversely, when kings turn back to God, the land is often restored. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises Solomon, "And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." This passage underscores the connection between the spiritual state of the king and his people and the physical state of the land.

Symbolism and Prophecy

The dependence of kings on the earth is also reflected in biblical prophecy and symbolism. In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great tree, which is cut down, symbolizes his temporary loss of power and sanity, emphasizing his reliance on God's creation. Daniel 4:25 explains, "You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times will pass you by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes."

Conclusion

In summary, the biblical portrayal of kings as dependent on the earth serves as a reminder of the divine order and the ultimate sovereignty of God. Kings, despite their power and authority, are subject to the same natural laws and divine providence as all of creation, highlighting their role as stewards of the earth under God's dominion.Ecclesiastes 5:9
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke's Account of the Enrollment
... To the citizens of the empire all the rest of the earth often passed out ... Augustus
and by all Rome, that the territory ruled by these dependent kings was part ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 6 lukes account of.htm

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
... is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a ... the rise and fall of empires, appear
as if dependent on the ... for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 40 nebuchadnezzars dream.htm

Home as a Nursery.
... daughters shall be nursed at thy side." "Kings shall be ... as well as of the church
on earth and in ... in holy baptism, is entirely helpless and dependent upon the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xiii home as a.htm

As a Child
... The palaces of kings would have been privileged in ... only sinless one who ever dwelt
on earth; yet for ... a rebuke to those who think themselves dependent upon place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 7 as a child.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... were working on the hearts of kings, and it ... you is stayed from dew, and the earth
is stayed ... prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, was dependent on faithful ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

Elements of Prophetic Interpretation.
... CONDITIONAL Prophecy is when the fulfilment is dependent on the ... behold, the darkness
shall cover the earth, and gross ... shall come to thy light, and kings to the ...
/.../a brief commentary on the apocalypse/elements of prophetic interpretation.htm

Infancy.
... It is a helpless dependent upon the parent. ... children, flowers from heaven, Strewn
on earth by God's ... of revolution, overturn empires and dethrone kings, or with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ix infancy.htm

The Two-Horned Beast.
... caused those who dwell on the earth to worship ... The western division continued dependent
on the eastern head ... view, the horns would symbolize the kings of Eastern ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the two-horned beast.htm

In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your ...
... thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all ... moves heaven and pours untold
treasures of good on earth. ... that the Church is not so dependent on purely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter viii in gods name.htm

Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Absurdity of ...
... but all such ministrations are defective and dependent:"again, that ... the Creator of
the ends of the earth, fainteth not ... not by one, but by a number of Kings. ...
/.../chapter xvii introduction to proverbs viii.htm

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