Topical Bible: Kings: Often Reproved by God

◄ Kings: Often Reproved by God ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Throughout the biblical narrative, several kings of Israel and Judah are depicted as being often reproved by God due to their disobedience, idolatry, and failure to uphold the covenantal laws given to them. These reproofs serve as divine interventions intended to guide the kings back to righteousness and adherence to God's commandments.

Saul
The first king of Israel, Saul, is a prominent example of a king often reproved by God. Initially chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel, Saul's reign is marked by a series of disobedient acts. One significant instance is when Saul offers a burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel, as instructed (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Samuel rebukes Saul, saying, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you" (1 Samuel 13:13). Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites, as commanded by God, leads to another reproof and the eventual rejection of his kingship (1 Samuel 15:10-23).

David
King David, though a man after God's own heart, also experiences reproof from God. His most notable reproof comes after his sin with Bathsheba and the arranged death of her husband, Uriah. The prophet Nathan confronts David with a parable, leading to David's realization of his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-14). Nathan declares, "Now therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own" (2 Samuel 12:10). Despite his transgressions, David's genuine repentance restores his relationship with God.

Solomon
King Solomon, known for his wisdom, is also reproved by God due to his later years of idolatry. Despite his initial devotion, Solomon's many foreign wives lead him astray, and he builds high places for their gods (1 Kings 11:1-8). The LORD becomes angry with Solomon and says, "Since you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant" (1 Kings 11:11). This divine reproof results in the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death.

Rehoboam
Rehoboam, Solomon's son, also faces reproof. His harsh policies and refusal to listen to the people's grievances lead to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-19). When Rehoboam and the people of Judah forsake the law of the LORD, God sends Shishak, king of Egypt, against them. The prophet Shemaiah delivers God's message: "You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak" (2 Chronicles 12:5). Rehoboam's subsequent humility averts total destruction, but the kingdom suffers significant losses.

Ahab
King Ahab of Israel, notorious for his idolatry and wickedness, is frequently reproved by God through the prophet Elijah. Ahab's marriage to Jezebel and the promotion of Baal worship provoke God's anger. Elijah confronts Ahab, declaring a drought as a divine judgment (1 Kings 17:1). Later, after Ahab's unjust seizure of Naboth's vineyard, Elijah delivers another reproof: "In the place where the dogs licked up Naboth's blood, they will lick up your blood—yes, yours!" (1 Kings 21:19). Despite occasional moments of repentance, Ahab's reign is marked by continued defiance against God.

Manasseh
King Manasseh of Judah is another example of a king often reproved by God. His reign is characterized by extreme idolatry and abominations, leading to God's anger. The LORD speaks through His prophets, warning of impending disaster: "Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations...I am bringing such disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle" (2 Kings 21:11-12). Manasseh's eventual repentance and reforms come too late to prevent the prophesied judgment.

These accounts of kings often reproved by God highlight the importance of obedience, humility, and repentance in leadership. The divine reproofs serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the consequences of turning away from His commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 16:21
He suffered no man to do them wrong: yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
... 1 Kings 15:5. ... Then only is God glorified by an offender, when he takes the blame
and the shame of his sins on himself ... These he had doubtless often reproved. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon x davids sin in.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations ... He that being
often reproved hardeneth his ... Sennacherib was slain in the house of his god. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

Saul Rejected
... both Saul's revolt and the chronic impatience of kings at the ... 'He that being often
reproved hardeneth his ... remedy.' Let us beware of meeting God's prophet with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

A Jealous God
... Why was their land so often invaded? ... Even believers may be reproved on this subject ...
nay, there be men who deny altogether that he is lying of kings, and others ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

The End of Self-Will
... which ancient warfare made the portion of captive kings. ... He who rebels against God
mars his own ... to our memory: 'He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of self-will.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... lust, so Abimelech, Judges 9:4, so Jezebel, 1 Kings 21:10 ... how much more sacrilege
is it to rob God of his ... xxix.1: We being so often reproved by his word and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... dreadful things, and not once only, but often: will He ... because he commanded the Prophet
who reproved him to be ... he brought out the bones of the kings from their ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... It is reported of Chrysostom that he reproved any sin ... They are called kings' (Revelation
1:6); the excellent of the ... We often grieve the Spirit, abuse kindness. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

The True Sign
... Kings and nobles humbled themselves; the high and the lowly ... of faith and spiritual
insight had often led them ... Now Jesus reproved them for thinking that He who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 44 the true sign.htm

The Trial of Saul.
... kings, not kings of this world, but kings and princes ... now-a-days, imitating him,
too often say, when ... he argued; but Samuel with a word reproved, and convicted ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iii the trial of.htm