• Home
  • Daily Devotional
    • Daily Devotional
  • Daily Reflections
    • Daily Reflections
  • Couples Devotional
    • Couples Devotional
  • God Names Devotional
    • God Names Devotional
  • Thoughts
    • Thoughts
  • Sermons
    • Christian Sermons
  • Bible
    • Bible
  • Things of the Bible
    • Things of the Bible
  • Bible Verses
    • Things of the Bible
  • Bible Dictionary
    • Bible Dictionary
  • Prayer
    • Prayer
  • Daily Prayer
    • Daily Prayer
  • Women
    • Christian Women
  • Christian Books
    • Christian Books
  • Quotes
    • Quotes
  • Biographies
    • Biographies
  • Christian Life
    • Christian Life
ourdailydevotional logo
christian devotional
  • Home
    • Home
  • Sermons
    • Christian Sermons
  • Devotional
    • Daily Devotional
    • Couples Devotional
    • God Names Devotional
    • Thoughts
  • Reflections
    • Christian Reflections
  • Prayer
    • Prayer
    • Daily Prayer
  • Women
    • Christian Women
  • Bible
    • Bible
    • Bible Dictionary
    • Bible Verses
    • Things of the Bible
  • Books
    • Christian Books
    • Biography
  • Quotes
    • Christian Quotes
  • Life
    • Christian Life


Meaning of KING

Sovereign invested with supreme authority, generally for life and by right of succession. Religious fervor characterized the kings of Babylon and Assyria.



Sovereign invested with supreme authority, generally for life and by right of succession. Religious fervor characterized the kings of Babylon and Assyria.

The institution of the king-pontiff dates back to the time of Sumer. Obedience to the gods, the practice of virtue, the defense of justice, the punishment of the guilty, were duties incumbent on kings.

In Sumer the king was deified. The Bible quotes:
Nimrod as king of several cities of Babylon (Gen. 10:9-10).

Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, was head of a league of kings (Gen. 14:1, 5).
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and
Artaxerxes, of Persia, gave themselves the title "king of kings" (Ezra 7:12; Dan. 2:37; cf. 2 Kings 24:17).
In Abraham's time, Canaanite monarchs were often kings over only one city (Gen. 14:2, 18; 20:2); At the beginning of the Sumerian era there were also city-states.

Some centuries later, Joshua lists more than thirty-one defeated Canaanite monarchs (Josh. 12:7-24).

Disbelief and the desire to imitate their neighbors pushed the Israelites to ask for a king. (See THEOCRACY.) Moses had foreseen it (Deut. 17:14-20).

The institution of monarchy did not in itself imply the abolition of theocracy. The monarchy, apparently absolute, had to be submitted to Jehovah, who had only delegated his power to it.

Because he wanted to escape the authority of the Lord, Saul was replaced by another, and his descendants lost their right to the throne.

David's successor kings suffered the same fate: when they abandoned the Lord, they lost their crown (1 Kings 11:31-36). For the list of the kings of Judah and Israel, see the attached table.

The appointment of the sovereign was made by a prophet or by a person invested with authority (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:1, 13; 2 Kings 23:33, 34; 24:17); for the people (1 Sam. 18:8; 2 Sam. 5:1-3; 1 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 23:30).

Certain people usurped kingship (1 Kings 15:27, 28; 2 Kings 11:1-3 ff., etc.); most obtained the crown by right of succession (2 Kings 11:36).

The enthronement implied, for the Israelites, the coronation, the anointing with oil, the proclamation (2 Kings 11:12; cf. 1 Sam. 10:24; 2 Sam. 2:4; 5:3; 1 Kings 1 :34; 2 Kings 23:30), sacrifice, and sometimes a solemn procession (1 Sam. 16:2, 5; 1 Kings 1:25, 43-46).

The king also frequently fulfilled the role of general-in-chief (Gen. 14:5; Num. 21:23; 1 Sam. 8:20; 14:20), concluded treaties (Gen. 21:22-32; 1 R. 15:19), promulgated the laws and enforced them (Est. 3:12, 13; 8:7-12; Dan. 3:1-6, 29; 6:6-9), administered justice (2 S. 15:2; Is. 33:22), had the right of life and death (2 Sam. 14:1-11; 1 Kings 1:51, 52; 2:24-34; Est. 4:11; 7:9, 10).

The fear of God and man could regulate this authority, which sometimes had to take into account the popular will (1 Sam. 14:45; 15:24), since it was dangerous to oppress the people (1 Kings 12:4 ).

Priests and prophets, independent of the religious sphere, did not hesitate to rebuke kings (1 Sam. 13:10-44; 15:10-31; 2 Sam. 12:1-15; 1 Kings 18:17 , 18; 21:17-22; 2 Chron. 26:16-21).

The exercise of supreme power required physical, mental and moral qualities of a higher order. Saul's presence attracted the people (1 Sam. 10:23, 24 cf. 16:7). It was necessary for the king to be endowed with discernment and accurate judgment.

Solomon fulfilled these conditions to such a high degree that he obtained the favor of his subjects from the beginning (1 Kings 3:28). Just as necessary as insight were strength of character and impartiality.

The king had, for his protection and assistance, a guard, whose captain carried out his orders (2 Sam. 15:18; 20:23; cf. 1 Kings 1:43, 44; 2:25, 29). (See GUARD) Certain sovereigns surrounded themselves with unprecedented luxury (1 Kings 10).

The Scriptures present God as King who uses his infinite power for the good of his subjects (Ps. 5:3; 10:16).

He is called “King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:15). Christ, who declares himself head of a kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:33-37), also bears the title “King of kings” (Rev. 19:16)



Our task is to do what the psalmist David did: He didn’t worry about “great matters” or things “too profound” for him.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Calm And Quiet

David Jeremiah
According to medical researchers at Duke University, there is a “vicious cycle” involving insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It’s sort of a “which came first: the chicken or the egg?” scenario.
When we learn His purposes and make them our prayers, we are giving Him the opportunity to act.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Rope of Prayer

David Jeremiah
Daniel was a man who communicated with heaven. He prayed fervently, consistently, and for the will of God. He knew nothing of praying only before meals, at bedtime, and when he really needed God’s help.
Depression is apt to turn us away from the ordinary commonplace things of God's creation

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Initiative Against Depression

Oswald Chambers
A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. There are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression.
When the inspiration of God comes, and He says -

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Inspiration of Spiritual Initiative

Oswald Chambers
When the inspiration of God does come, it comes with such miraculous power that we are able to arise from the dead and do the impossible thing. God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome.
So long as there is a human being who does not know Jesus Christ, I am his debtor to serve him until he does.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Determination To Serve

Oswald Chambers
The mainspring of Paul 's service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ. Paul's realization of how Jesus Christ had dealt with him is the secret of his determination to serve others.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Bible Dictionary

Bible Dictionary online, your comprehensive guide to understanding the rich and profound meanings behind the words and concepts found within the Holy Scriptures.


Our Daily Devotional Logo
followmeusa.net@gmail.com
OURDAILYDEVOTIONAL.NET
"We follow Jesus"
Sitemap | Sitemap | Sitemap Bible | Privacy Policy & Cookies
Follow us on Youtube