Topical Bible: Kings: Forbidden to Multiply: Treasure

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In the biblical context, the role of a king in Israel was distinct from that of monarchs in surrounding nations. The kings of Israel were expected to lead the people in accordance with God's laws and commandments. One of the specific instructions given to the kings of Israel was the prohibition against multiplying certain things, including treasure. This directive is rooted in the desire to maintain the king's reliance on God rather than on wealth or military might.

The primary scriptural basis for this prohibition is found in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. In this passage, God provides guidelines for the future kings of Israel. Deuteronomy 17:17 states, "He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold." This command is part of a broader set of instructions intended to ensure that the king's heart remains devoted to God and that he does not become prideful or self-reliant.

The accumulation of treasure is seen as a potential source of corruption and distraction. Wealth can lead to a sense of self-sufficiency, causing the king to trust in his riches rather than in God. This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where reliance on material wealth is often contrasted with faith in God. Proverbs 11:28 warns, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."

The historical narratives of Israel's kings provide examples of the consequences of ignoring this command. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, is a notable example of a king who amassed great wealth. 1 Kings 10:14-25 describes Solomon's immense wealth, including gold, silver, and other treasures. While Solomon's reign was marked by prosperity and grandeur, his accumulation of wealth and other excesses eventually led to spiritual decline and division within the kingdom.

The prohibition against multiplying treasure serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and dependence on God. It underscores the biblical principle that true security and success come from obedience to God's commandments rather than from material wealth. The king, as the leader of God's people, was to model this reliance on God, setting an example for the nation to follow.

In summary, the biblical injunction against kings multiplying treasure is a safeguard against the dangers of wealth and self-reliance. It reflects the broader biblical teaching that faithfulness to God and His commandments is the foundation of true leadership and prosperity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 17:17
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The More Excellent Way
... occurs; for what have you to do with courts and kings? ... O that it would please God
to multiply these friends ... 5. But suppose it were not forbidden, how can you ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 89 the more excellent.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... The command to increase and multiply first finds fulfilment after ... womb, [491] and
now he was forbidden to take ... is to end in slavery to the haughtiest of kings? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

The Commandments
... as he shuns as sins the evils forbidden in the ... under some pretext by fraud deprive
their kings, their country ... wills to produce its like and to multiply its kind ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... they are beloved and counted for his peculiar treasure. ... shall see thy righteousness,
and all kings thy glory ... them that make merry; and I will multiply them, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... rulers and the industry of its citizens, had amassed treasure of inestimable ... 2 Kings
21:2 ... very first he tolerated much that his father had forbidden, and the ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... National religion, so called, had been propagated at an incredible expense of treasure,
and by the sacrifice of the best blood in the country, to the shrine of ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... it is a sin: it is a sin therefore forbidden by the ... and an evil man, out of the evil
treasure of his ... and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... that is not prescribed in the word of God is forbidden. ... fled from the face of Jezebel
(1 Kings 19:8 ... on in thy dangerous journey, commit thy treasure, thy soul ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... It is a sin therefore forbidden by the gospel, and is included, lurketh close in,
yea, is the, or a root of unbelief ... A good man out of the good treasure of his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... evil spirit that was sent to persuade Ahab to go and fall at Ramoth-Gilead; Go:
"Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so" (1 Kings 22:22 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm