Topical Bible: Kings: should Keep the Law of God

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In the biblical narrative, kings hold a significant role as leaders appointed to govern the people of Israel. Their primary responsibility, as outlined in Scripture, is to lead the nation in accordance with the Law of God. This expectation is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where adherence to divine law is paramount for the prosperity and spiritual health of the nation.

Biblical Mandate for Kings

The mandate for kings to keep the Law of God is explicitly stated in the Torah. In Deuteronomy 17:18-20 , God provides specific instructions for the king: "When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long over his kingdom in Israel."

This passage underscores the importance of the king's personal engagement with the Law. By writing and reading the Law, the king is to internalize its precepts, ensuring that his rule aligns with God's commandments. The king's adherence to the Law serves as a model for the nation, promoting justice, righteousness, and faithfulness to God.

Examples of Kings and the Law

Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, the biblical narrative provides examples of kings who either upheld or neglected the Law of God, with corresponding consequences.

1. King David: David is often regarded as a model king who sought to follow God's Law. Despite his personal failings, David's heart was inclined toward God, and he sought forgiveness and restoration when he sinned. His psalms reflect a deep reverence for God's statutes, as seen in Psalm 119:97 : "Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation."

2. King Solomon: Solomon began his reign with a commitment to God's Law, asking for wisdom to govern the people (1 Kings 3:9). However, later in his reign, Solomon's heart turned away from God as he married foreign wives and worshiped other gods, violating the Law (1 Kings 11:1-10). This departure from the Law led to the division of the kingdom after his death.

3. King Josiah: Josiah is celebrated for his reforms and return to the Law. Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah initiated a national renewal, tearing down idols and restoring the worship of Yahweh (2 Kings 22-23). His actions exemplify the king's role in leading the nation back to covenant faithfulness.

4. King Ahab: In contrast, Ahab is depicted as a king who flagrantly disregarded God's Law, leading Israel into idolatry and immorality (1 Kings 16:30-33). His reign is marked by conflict with the prophet Elijah, who called Ahab to repentance and adherence to God's commands.

Theological Implications

The expectation for kings to keep the Law of God highlights the theological principle that leadership is accountable to divine authority. The king's obedience to the Law is not merely a personal matter but has national implications, affecting the spiritual and moral direction of the people. The biblical narrative consistently demonstrates that when kings align their rule with God's Law, the nation experiences blessing and peace. Conversely, when they deviate from the Law, the nation suffers turmoil and judgment.

In summary, the role of kings in keeping the Law of God is a central theme in the biblical account of Israel's monarchy. It serves as a reminder of the importance of godly leadership and the enduring relevance of God's commandments for guiding the lives of both leaders and their people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... proper spirit, idolatry could not exist; but should the claims ... He said; "walk in
My statutes, and keep My judgments ... but if Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm

A Jealous God
... altogether that he is lying of kings, and others ... buckler, who are you that you should
stand before ... sin boasts, "I will not keep God's law," self-righteousness ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath ...
... and the sun going back ten degrees (2 Kings 20:11 ... removed against his coming; lest
it should hinder his ... commandment which bound the Jews to keep the Sabbath on ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the true manner.htm

Vav.
... verse be in the optative mood, and may I keep Thy law ... name of "Martyrs," unto whom
Jesus foretold, that they should confess Him even before kings, [5195] is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/vav.htm

The Law of the Lord.
... sits on the throne of the universe, King of kings, and Lord ... What God has willed and
chosen we should do. ... you wish to learn the law of the Lord, keep your souls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon x the law of.htm

The Law.
... read of in the hook of Kings, 2 Kings, 17: 26 ... thousand talents, pay that thou owest;"
the other should say, "Thou ... dwells in my members, the one to keep up peace ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/v the law.htm

The Chosen People
... His servants face to face with kings and rulers ... they were actually jealous lest the
Lord should show mercy ... injunctions, it was an impossibility to keep the law. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 2 the chosen people.htm

Schin.
... The kings of the earth therefore have persecuted the Christians ... away Thy face from
me, I should have been confounded, nor could I keep Thy commandments ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/schin.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... from Christ, but, on the contrary, to keep them in ... death, and defiled with corruption,
be either kings or priests ... us unto Christ," "till the seed should come to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The King 'Blessing' his People
... dedicated the house of the Lord.'"1 Kings 8:54 ... their cause, and exhorted them to
keep their hearts ... It should suggest the abiding God yet more strongly than it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king blessing his people.htm