In our ongoing overview of the Bible, we've come to the story of Israel's Kings. Many people are unaware of the significance of a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament that talks about people who take on the title of King.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
14 “When you come to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’
15 you may indeed set a king over you whom the LORD your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
16 Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’
17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.
18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,
20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.
One of the most significant aspects of the Law is that it reminds the King, and us, that no person is above the Law, and all are subject to it. The Law serves as a check and balance for all, and because God is the "Author" of the Law, all are under the "Authority" of that author - the Lord.
When Israel demanded a King (1 Sam. 8), God told Samuel that they were rejecting Him as their King. Still God had made provision for a monarchy in Israel. How do we reconcile these? The answer lies in their demand: "we want a King like all the nations around us".
They got a King who was anything but what Deuteronomy 17 said. King Saul was dishonest, full of pride, fearful, insecure, obstinate, and in general unable to obey God. Kings, or leaders, who do not listen to God's word will not receive God's blessings.
King David was "a man after God's own heart". He wrote this Psalm, or Song, as a testimony to what kind of King he wanted to be:
Psalm 21:1-7
1 O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.Selah
3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
As significant as David was as a King, he was also flawed in character - a sinner who needed salvation from God.
As we read through the stories of Israel's Kings in Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, we keep coming back to undeniable need: We need a Perfect King...one who served his people..who is willing to give His life for the sake of God's Kingdom...one who can also be our great High Priest. We need Jesus as King.
Here's the introduction to the Kings with the story of David in 2 Samuel.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
14 “When you come to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’
15 you may indeed set a king over you whom the LORD your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
16 Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’
17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.
18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,
20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.
One of the most significant aspects of the Law is that it reminds the King, and us, that no person is above the Law, and all are subject to it. The Law serves as a check and balance for all, and because God is the "Author" of the Law, all are under the "Authority" of that author - the Lord.
When Israel demanded a King (1 Sam. 8), God told Samuel that they were rejecting Him as their King. Still God had made provision for a monarchy in Israel. How do we reconcile these? The answer lies in their demand: "we want a King like all the nations around us".
They got a King who was anything but what Deuteronomy 17 said. King Saul was dishonest, full of pride, fearful, insecure, obstinate, and in general unable to obey God. Kings, or leaders, who do not listen to God's word will not receive God's blessings.
King David was "a man after God's own heart". He wrote this Psalm, or Song, as a testimony to what kind of King he wanted to be:
Psalm 21:1-7
1 O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
As significant as David was as a King, he was also flawed in character - a sinner who needed salvation from God.
As we read through the stories of Israel's Kings in Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, we keep coming back to undeniable need: We need a Perfect King...one who served his people..who is willing to give His life for the sake of God's Kingdom...one who can also be our great High Priest. We need Jesus as King.
Here's the introduction to the Kings with the story of David in 2 Samuel.
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