Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and OriginKingship in the Bible refers to the role and authority of a king as the sovereign ruler over a nation or people. The concept of kingship is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, beginning with the establishment of human governance and extending to the divine kingship of God. The role of a king is often associated with leadership, justice, and the responsibility to uphold God's laws.
Biblical FoundationThe idea of kingship is first introduced in the context of God's sovereignty. God is depicted as the ultimate King, ruling over all creation. In
1 Samuel 8, the Israelites demand a human king to lead them, desiring to be like other nations. This request marks a significant transition from theocratic rule to a monarchy. God grants their request but warns them of the potential consequences of human kingship. "And the LORD said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king'" (
1 Samuel 8:7).
The United MonarchyThe first king of Israel was Saul, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign, however, was marked by disobedience to God's commands, leading to his rejection by God. David, a man after God's own heart, succeeded Saul and established a united monarchy. David's kingship is characterized by his devotion to God, military conquests, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. "Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'Here we are, your own flesh and blood'" (
2 Samuel 5:1).
David's son Solomon succeeded him, known for his wisdom and the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon's reign brought prosperity and peace, but his later years were marred by idolatry and political alliances that led to the division of the kingdom after his death.
The Divided KingdomFollowing Solomon's reign, the kingdom split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The kings of these divided kingdoms varied in their faithfulness to God. Many kings led the people into idolatry and injustice, prompting prophetic calls for repentance and warnings of impending judgment. Despite the failures of human kings, the prophets foretold the coming of a perfect King from the line of David, who would establish an everlasting kingdom.
Messianic KingshipThe Old Testament prophets, including Isaiah and Jeremiah, prophesied about a future King, the Messiah, who would reign with righteousness and justice.
Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of this coming King: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore" .
The Kingship of ChristIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whose kingdom is not of this world (
John 18:36). Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility, servanthood, and sacrificial love. His death and resurrection inaugurated the Kingdom of God, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe.
Revelation 19:16 declares, "And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords" .
Theological SignificanceKingship in the Bible underscores the tension between human authority and divine sovereignty. While human kings often failed, God's promise of a righteous and eternal King is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Believers are called to recognize Christ's authority and live as citizens of His kingdom, reflecting His values and advancing His reign on earth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The state, office, or dignity of a king; royalty.
Greek
932. basileia -- kingdom, sovereignty, royal power... royal power. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: basileia Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-il-i'-ah) Short Definition:
kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule
...Strong's Hebrew
4410. melukah --kingship, royalty... 4409, 4410. melukah. 4411 .
kingship, royalty. Transliteration: melukah
Phonetic Spelling: (mel-oo-kaw') Short Definition: kingdom.
...4438. malkuth -- royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
... Word Origin from the same as melek Definition royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
NASB Word Usage kingdom (41), kingdoms (2),kingship (1), realm (3), reign...
Library
Kingship.
...KINGSHIP. Art thou a king then?... To be love-helper to one heart, for its joy, and
the glory of his father, was the beginning of truekingship!...
A King in the Stuff
... boy. A great many things about a boy in which he hides hiskingship seem
no better than the worthless stuff in which Saul hid. There...
Six Facts Underlying Prayer.
... Thekingship of its life, the control and mastery of its forces.[5].... Thekingship
or rulership of the earth which was given to man is now Satan's....
The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign...
... basis of His work, without knowledge of which that of His Divinity would have been
a barren, speculative abstraction, and that of HisKingship a Jewish fleshly...
The Government of the Church.
... The individual church, still mindful of thekingship of Jesus, professes to bow
unconditionally to His kingly Word as contained in the Scripture....
Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... He withheld not from His righteous ones; even as, though He is the great King, without
grudging He applied the great and honourable name ofKingship to men who...
The Sentence which Condemned the Judges
... He had a right to know whether this strange criminal was dangerous to Rome, because
He claimedkingship, and, if he were satisfied that He was not, his bounden...
Christ as Anointed (Christ) and as King.
... Anointing is a symbol of entering on thekingship, and sometimes also on the priesthood;
and must we therefore conclude that thekingship of the Son of God is...
The Allegory of Melchizedek.
... The Psalmist desires a better priesthood and a betterkingship.... Thekingship
of Melchizedek, it appears, involves that he is priest....
The Crucifixion.
... They had insisted that Jesus'kingship was dangerous enough to justify his crucifixion;
but now (if politically and temporally interpreted) they admit that his...
Thesaurus
Kingship (17 Occurrences)...Kingship (17 Occurrences).
... (WEY). 2 Timothy 2:12 "If we patiently endure pain, we
shall also share His
Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us; (WEY)
...Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... The fable tells of thekingship of the trees which, after having been declined
by all useful plants, was finally offered to the bramble....
Primogeniture
... firstborn to inherit the headship of the family, carrying with it certain property
rights and usually such titles as those of the high-priesthood orkingship....
Obadiah (21 Occurrences)
... Consequent upon the overthrow of Edom is the enlargement of the borders
of Judah and the establishment of thekingship of Yahweh....
Share (138 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and imploring you to live lives worthy of
fellowship with God who is inviting you to share His ownKingship and glory. (WEY)...
King (25505 Occurrences)
... See JESUS CHRIST; KING, CHRIST AS. KING, CHRIST AS. " I. THE REALITY OF CHRIST'S
KINGSHIP 1. The Old Testament Foreshadowings In the Psalms and Prophets 2. The...
Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)
Accommodation (1 Occurrence)
... The Kingdom and theKingship are described in terms of the ideal and that ideal
is used in every age as the ground of immediate appeal to loyalty and devotion...
Messiah (9 Occurrences)
... the prophet is not an ideal figure, being already fully inspired by the Spirit,
prophetic functions are to this extent associated with thekingship, that the...
Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... But thekingship was always elective, and the army chose Omri, the commander-in-
chief, who besieged and took Tirzah, Zimri setting the palace on fire by his...
Resources
How should we understand the Lion and the Lamb passage? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jonathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.orgKingship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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