In the biblical narrative, the role of a king is often depicted as one of divine appointment, with the expectation that the king will lead with wisdom, justice, and adherence to God's commandments. However, the presence of evil counsellors can significantly impact a king's ability to govern righteously. The Bible provides several examples and teachings that underscore the necessity for kings to remove evil counsellors from their presence to maintain a just and godly rule.

Biblical Examples:

1. Rehoboam's Folly (1 Kings 12:1-15): Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, ascended to the throne and faced a critical decision regarding the demands of the Israelites for lighter burdens. Instead of heeding the advice of the elders who had served his father, Rehoboam chose to follow the counsel of the young men he had grown up with. This decision led to the division of the kingdom. The narrative illustrates the peril of ignoring wise counsel in favor of advice that aligns with personal desires or ambitions.

2. Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21): King Ahab of Israel is another example where evil counsel led to disastrous outcomes. His wife, Jezebel, encouraged idolatry and the persecution of God's prophets. Her influence over Ahab resulted in the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard, an act that brought divine judgment upon Ahab's house. This account highlights the destructive power of allowing wicked advisors to influence a king's decisions.

3. Jehoshaphat and Ahab (2 Chronicles 18): King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with Ahab, and despite being a godly king, he was nearly led into disaster by Ahab's false prophets. Jehoshaphat's insistence on consulting a true prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, ultimately revealed the deceitful nature of Ahab's counsellors. This incident underscores the importance of seeking and adhering to godly counsel.

Biblical Teachings:

· Proverbs on Counsel: The Book of Proverbs offers numerous insights into the value of wise counsel and the dangers of evil advisors. Proverbs 11:14 states, "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance." This verse emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with advisors who provide sound and righteous guidance.

· Psalm 1:1 : "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." This psalm warns against associating with those who would lead one away from righteousness, a principle that applies to kings and leaders who must choose their advisors wisely.

· The Role of Prophets: Throughout the Old Testament, prophets served as the voice of God, often providing counsel to kings. The rejection of prophetic counsel in favor of evil advisors frequently led to a king's downfall. The narratives of Samuel and Saul, Nathan and David, and Elijah and Ahab illustrate the critical role prophets played in guiding kings according to God's will.

Implications for Leadership:

The biblical accounts and teachings suggest that a king's success and the well-being of the nation are closely tied to the quality of counsel received. Evil counsellors, characterized by self-interest, deceit, and ungodliness, pose a significant threat to righteous leadership. Therefore, it is imperative for kings to discern and remove such influences, seeking instead the guidance of those who fear the Lord and uphold His statutes. The removal of evil counsellors is not merely a matter of political strategy but a spiritual necessity to ensure that the king's reign aligns with divine purposes and leads to the flourishing of the people under his care.2 Chronicles 22:3,4
He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 25:5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Beginnings of Church Reform
... But the alternative offered by the German Kings was no ... Pope Alexander was to
excommunicate five counsellors of the ... answer charges of simony and other evil deeds ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter i the beginnings of.htm

Peter Stood Up.
... you, and say all manner of evil against you ... foretelling that we shall stand before
kings and princes in ... and Cassiodorus, for his friends and counsellors, and in ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iii peter stood up.htm

A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors." For so ... wonder, then, if this
history of the evil device of ... is found in the third book of Kings, which you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to.htm

Galatians Chapter I.
... obey them, though their works were so evil, that the ... bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings," (Acts 9 ... from men should in turn take men as his counsellors. ...
/.../galatians chapter i.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... in the protection and continuation of evil times, a ... Catholic on the conversion of
their kings, the rulers ... commanded that the priest Cato should be ordained ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Of Civil Government.
... are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for ... of thanks, be made for
all men; for kings, and for ... and ears of the prince are his counsellors, so one ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Theory of the Church, and the History of Its Perversion.
... the Saviour has made all His people "kings and priests ... to Scripture, they were tempted
in an evil hour to ... They still, indeed, acted as his counsellors, but as ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter xiii the theory of.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... and drinking; indeed, if we may believe evil tongues, he ... to these ruined palaces:
"The gods [kings] who were ... his person as his "sole friends" and counsellors. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Ascension of Isaiah.
... and Benjamin, and of the eunuchs and counsellors of the king ... This evil dominion lasts
for three years, seven months ... Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah (1 Kings 22:11) is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the ascension of isaiah.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... Yea, this was granted by the king, and his seven counsellors. ... a beast, a man, or
woman; and the kings of the ... cried out of her shame, and of the evil of their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

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