What does the Bible say about regicide?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible records the killing of kings as events under God’s sovereign judgment, but it does not give private individuals a general license to murder rulers. Judges 3:16-23 portrays Ehud’s killing of Eglon as God’s appointed deliverance of Israel from oppression. By contrast, David rejected the Amalekite’s claim to have killed Saul, declaring that the Lord’s anointed must not be struck with impunity in 2 Samuel 1:16. The assassinations of Nadab, Elah, Joash, and Amaziah in 1 Kings 15:27-29, 1 Kings 16:9-11, 2 Kings 12:20-21, and 2 Kings 14:19 reveal political violence and divine judgment. Jehu’s actions against Joram and Ahaziah fulfilled a particular prophetic commission, not a standing rule for believers.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- (Assassinating a king)
- Of Ehud Judges 3:16-23
- Of King Saul 2 Samuel 1:16
- Of Ish-bosheth 2 Samuel 4:5-8
- Of Nadab 1 Kings 15:27-29
- Of Elah 1 Kings 16:9-11
- Of Joram 2 Kings 9:24
- Of Ahaziah 2 Kings 9:27
- Of Joash 2 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 12:21
- Of Amaziah 2 Kings 14:19; 2 Kings 14:20
- Of Zachariah 2 Kings 15:10
- Of Shallum 2 Kings 15:14
- Of Pekahiah 2 Kings 15:25
- Of Pekah 2 Kings 15:30
- Of Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:36; 2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:37; Isaiah 37:38
- See HOMICIDE
See also
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