In the biblical narrative, kings hold a significant role as leaders appointed to govern the people of Israel and Judah. Their actions and words carry immense weight, influencing the spiritual and moral direction of the nation. The Bible provides numerous examples of kings who, when aligned with God's will, speak righteously and lead their people in accordance with divine principles.

Solomon's Wisdom and Righteous Speech

King Solomon, the son of David, is renowned for his wisdom, a gift from God that he requested to govern the people justly. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon prays, "Give Your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." Solomon's request pleased the Lord, and God granted him unparalleled wisdom. His righteous speech is exemplified in his judgments and proverbs, which reflect a deep understanding of God's laws and the human condition. The Book of Proverbs, attributed to Solomon, is filled with exhortations to speak truthfully and wisely, such as Proverbs 16:13, "Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks honestly."

Hezekiah's Faithful Leadership

King Hezekiah of Judah is another example of a king who spoke righteously. He is noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple. In 2 Kings 18:5-6, it is written, "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow Him; he kept the commandments the LORD had given Moses." Hezekiah's speech and actions were aligned with God's commandments, leading to a period of spiritual renewal and divine favor.

Josiah's Reformation

King Josiah, another righteous king of Judah, is celebrated for his commitment to the covenant and his efforts to reform the nation. Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah tore his clothes in repentance and sought to align the kingdom with God's statutes. In 2 Kings 23:3, Josiah makes a covenant before the LORD, "to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book." His righteous speech and actions led to a significant religious revival.

David's Psalms and Righteous Leadership

King David, despite his personal failings, is often remembered for his heart after God and his psalms, which express deep devotion and righteous intent. In Psalm 19:14, David prays, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." David's psalms frequently emphasize the importance of righteous speech and a heart aligned with God's will, serving as a model for godly leadership.

The Role of Prophets in Guiding Kings

Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, prophets played a crucial role in guiding kings to speak and act righteously. Prophets like Nathan, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were instrumental in calling kings to account and urging them to adhere to God's commands. Their interactions with the kings underscore the importance of divine guidance in ensuring that a king's speech and actions reflect righteousness.

In summary, the Bible presents a clear standard for kings: when they are good, they speak righteously, aligning their words and actions with God's will. This righteous speech is not only a reflection of their personal devotion but also a means of leading their people in faithfulness to God.Proverbs 16:10
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Chapter ii.
... silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of ... I commit my spirit."
[945] And in good truth "did ... and understand, so as to enable me to speak of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/the works of dionysius/chapter ii.htm

Opposition to Messiah Unreasonable
... comparatively sober and decent, should speak thus, while ... unfavourable to the practice
of good works ... commencement of MESSIAH'S Kingdom " kings, rulers, priests ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiii opposition to messiah.htm

The Way of Life and the Way of Death.
... Thou shalt not speak obscenely, nor use wanton glances, nor be a ... to goodness, or
to righteous judgment: they watch not for good, but for ... [3346] 1 Kings 18:21. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the two ways.htm

1 Cor. xv. 29
... yet so they would only make them kings, but could ... mitigating those expressions, he
saith, "I speak to move ... For there is a robbery which is good, the robbery of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xl 1 cor xv.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... We read that Joseph's brethren "could not speak peaceably unto ... Acts 2:23), and that
though "the kings of the ... not showed any backwardness to our good, we have ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... for the affairs of mankind, and how he loves good men, and ... them root and branch;
for many of these kings of Israel ... but we are not obliged now to speak any more ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

"On Conscience"
... is recorded in the third chapter of the Second Book of Kings.) To this ... "Think, and
speak, and do ... How did Christ go up and down, doing good to men, and what was ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 105 on conscience.htm

Psalm 135
... 4For Jacob to himself the Lord. did chuse of his good pleasure,. ... 10He smote great
nations, slew great kings: ... 16Mouths have they, but they do not speak; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 135.htm

Endurance
... destroy his enemies, like one of the old kings and conquerors ... your money; or whether
you are a good man or ... thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak well of ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxi endurance.htm

Third Sunday after Easter
... of that kingdom is unlike that of earthly kings and dominions ... king of David's glorious
rank occasion to speak thus ... maintain a blameless walk, a life of good works ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.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

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus