What does the Bible say about king?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that kings rule under God’s sovereign authority and are accountable to govern His people with humility, justice, and obedience to His word. Deuteronomy 17:15 directs Israel to receive the king God chooses, while 1 Samuel 9:16-17 shows the Lord appointing Saul to lead and deliver His people. God later chose David, though outwardly overlooked, and promised that his son Solomon would build the temple and enjoy a kingdom of peace (1 Samuel 16:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10). Daniel 2:37 declares that all royal power is given by the God of heaven, and even foreign rulers such as Artaxerxes and Nebuchadnezzar stand within His providence (Ezra 7:12; Ezekiel 26:7). These promises ultimately find their fulfillment in Christ, the righteous and everlasting King.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Called KING OF KINGS Ezra 7:12; Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37
- Divinely authorized Deuteronomy 17:15; 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 9:17; 1 Samuel 16:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 2 Chronicles 2:11; 2 Chronicles 2:12; Proverbs 8:15; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 2:37; Daniel 4:17; Daniel 5:20
- How chosen
- By divine appointment, Saul 1 Samuel 10:1
- David and the Davidic dynasty 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- Hereditary succession 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 1:28-30; 2 Chronicles 21:3; 2 Chronicles 21:4; Psalms 89:35-37
- See ISRAEL, KINGS OF JUDAH
- Not hereditary 1 Chronicles 1:43-51
- See ISRAEL, KINGS OF ISRAEL, after the revolt
- By lot 1 Samuel 10:20; 1 Samuel 10:21
- Modes of induction into office
- By anointing
- See ANOINTING
- By proclamation 2 Samuel 15:10; 1 Kings 1:33; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 9:13; 2 Kings 11:12
- By an oath 2 Kings 11:4
- Ceremonial recognition of
- Prostration 1 Samuel 25:41; 2 Samuel 9:6; 2 Samuel 9:8; 1 Kings 1:23; 1 Kings 1:31; 1 Kings 1:47
- Obeisance 1 Kings 1:16
- Kneeling before Matthew 27:29
- Salutation to: “O king, live forever,” Daniel 2:4; Daniel 6:6; Daniel 6:21
- Acts as Judge 2 Samuel 8:15; 2 Samuel 15:2; 1 Kings 10:9; 2 Kings 8:1-6; Psalms 72:1-4; Psalms 122:5; Acts 25:11; Acts 25:12; Acts 25:20
- Precepts concerning Deuteronomy 17:14-19; Proverbs 31:4; Proverbs 31:5; Ezekiel 46:16-18
- Obedience to, enjoined Ecclesiastes 8:2-5
- Rights and duties of Proverbs 25:2; Proverbs 25:5; Proverbs 25:6; Proverbs 25:15; Proverbs 29:4; Proverbs 29:12; Proverbs 29:14; Jeremiah 21:12
- Exercise executive clemency 1 Samuel 11:13
- Constitutional restrictions of Deuteronomy 17:18-20; 1 Samuel 10:24; 1 Samuel 10:25; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Kings 11:17; 2 Chronicles 23:11; Jeremiah 34:8-11; Daniel 6:12-15
- Influenced by popular opinion
- Saul 1 Samuel 14:45; 1 Samuel 15:24
- David 2 Chronicles 20:21
- Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 30:2
- Zedekiah Jeremiah 38:19; Jeremiah 38:24-27
- Herod Matthew 14:5; Acts 12:2; Acts 12:3
- Pilate John 19:6-13
- Religious duties of Ezekiel 45:9-25; Ezekiel 46:2; Ezekiel 46:4-8
- Deification of Ezekiel 28:2; Ezekiel 28:9
- Loyalty to, enjoined Proverbs 16:14; Proverbs 16:15; Ecclesiastes 10:20
- Influential queens
- Bath-sheba 1 Kings 1:28-34
- Jezebel 1 Kings 18:4; 1 Kings 18:13; 1 Kings 19:1-3; 1 Kings 21:5-16
- Esther Esther 5:1-8
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
See also
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about king and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about king