The theme of resisting God's appointed kings and the ensuing folly is a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative. The Bible provides numerous accounts where resistance to divinely sanctioned authority leads to chaos, judgment, and downfall. This entry explores key instances and lessons derived from such resistance.

1. Saul and the Amalekites

King Saul's resistance to God's command through the prophet Samuel serves as a poignant example of the folly of disobedience. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul is instructed to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possess. However, Saul spares King Agag and the best of the livestock. When confronted by Samuel, Saul attempts to justify his actions, but Samuel declares, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). Saul's resistance to God's command results in his rejection as king.

2. Absalom's Rebellion

Absalom, the son of King David, exemplifies the folly of resisting God's chosen king. In 2 Samuel 15-18, Absalom conspires to overthrow his father, David. Despite his initial success in winning the hearts of the people, Absalom's rebellion ultimately leads to his demise. David's lament over Absalom's death underscores the tragedy of resisting God's anointed: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33).

3. Jeroboam and the Northern Kingdom

Jeroboam's resistance to the Davidic line and his establishment of the Northern Kingdom of Israel is another instance of folly. After the division of the united monarchy, Jeroboam leads the ten northern tribes in rebellion against Rehoboam, Solomon's son. To prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam sets up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading Israel into idolatry. This act of resistance against God's chosen place of worship results in a legacy of sin and eventual judgment upon the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 12:25-33).

4. Zedekiah and the Fall of Jerusalem

The last king of Judah, Zedekiah, illustrates the folly of resisting prophetic counsel and divine will. Despite repeated warnings from the prophet Jeremiah to submit to Babylonian rule, Zedekiah rebels against Nebuchadnezzar. This resistance leads to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Jeremiah's lament captures the devastation: "How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow" (Lamentations 1:1).

5. Lessons from Resistance

The biblical accounts of resistance to God's appointed kings serve as cautionary tales. They highlight the importance of obedience to divine authority and the consequences of rebellion. The narratives underscore the belief that God establishes rulers and that resisting them is tantamount to resisting God Himself. As the Apostle Paul writes, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God" (Romans 13:1).

These accounts collectively emphasize the wisdom in submitting to God's ordained leadership and the peril that accompanies defiance. Through these accounts, the Bible teaches that true wisdom lies in recognizing and honoring the authority established by God.Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew on the grass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

From Egypt to Sinai.
... They may have assisted the shepherd kings under whom Joseph has risen ... plaque that
finally showed Pharaoh and his people the folly of resisting Jehovah and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter v from egypt to.htm

Joshua and the Angel
The Story of Prophets and Kings. ... But here is a little company who are resisting his
supremacy. ... He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 47 joshua and the.htm

An Unheeded Warning
... It is implied that men are resisting the Spirit of God. ... I want to say that your message
from the King of kings has not ... 5) Whenever we see the folly of trusting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/an unheeded warning.htm

Jer. 6:16 the Good Way.
... All these found to their cost the folly of not ... pages may fall, the absolute necessity
of resisting the current ... of the Judges and the last of the Kings, I fail ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter v jer 6 16 the.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... that the authority of the kings of Judah ... returned from Babylon and the Samaritans,
resisting equally their ... by accusing them of falsehood, folly, and irreligion ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm

Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation
... Were it not folly to be proud of a ring that is lent ... We are apt to say as that prince
in 2 Kings 7:1,2 ... look up to heaven, there we may see God resisting the proud ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/6 christs humiliation in his.htm

Acts XVII
... has a power which can not be resisted without resisting God ... him, indeed, as the
"King of kings, and Lord ... Their folly has been constantly re-enacted by religious ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

"Pray Without Ceasing"
... for them, but the King of kings has called ... change anything, and, consequently, must
be folly; still, if ... before you, beloved, how by resisting presumption and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/pray without ceasing.htm

1 Cor. I. 18-20
... 2 Kings 6:5 ... than men;" in relation to the Cross, speaking of a folly and weakness ...
a robber entering and taking away the furniture, far from resisting, even smile ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 1 cor i.htm

Holy Exercises of Resignation.
... my inordinate passions, and not by resisting and mortifying ... blessed and only Potentate,
King of kings and Lord ... 8. I renounce the folly of being disquieted with ...
/.../holy exercises of resignation.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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