What does the Bible say about kings?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Romans 13:1

  Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

• Proverbs 21:1

  The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

• Proverbs 29:4

  The king by justice makes the land stable, But he who takes bribes tears it down.

• Proverbs 31:4-8

  [4] It is not for kings, Lemuel; It is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' [5] Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. [6] Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul: [7] Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. [8] Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.

• Ecclesiastes 10:20

  Don't curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; And don't curse the rich in your bedchamber: For a bird of the sky may carry your voice, And that which has wings may tell the matter.

• Revelation 1:6

  and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• 1 Samuel 8:11-17

  [11] He said, This will be the manner of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots; [12] and he will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and [he will set some] to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots. [13] He will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. [14] He will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive groves, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. [15] He will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. [16] He will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. [17] He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall be his servants.

• Romans 15:4

  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

• 1 Peter 2:17

  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

• Luke 22:25

  He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'

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