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2 Samuel 23.3, 4; 1 Kings 6.11-13; Matthew 14.1-4; Acts 23.1-3; Romans 13.1-4; 1 Peter 2.13, 14
This is not the first time God had told His people they could have a king. In Genesis 49.8-10 Jacob had foretold the coming of a king through the tribe of Judah, who would rule over his brothers and ultimately extend his rule to all the nations. Here God simply expands on what He had previously said.
The king must be appointed from among the people of Israel. He must not aspire to great wealth or power; instead, the king’s primary concern must be the just administration of the Law of God. He was to write a copy of the Law of God in his own hand. This would then be examined and approved by the priests before it became his personal possession. He was expected to read in the Law of God all the days of his life. This would fit him to serve the people of Israel out of fear of God and desire for them to know the blessings of divine rule.
We can only imagine the effect of such rule, although we see glimpses of it during parts of the reigns of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, and others. Psalms 1 and 2, coming in the order they do, are perhaps intended to reinforce God’s plan for order in civil society: focus on the Law, anoint kings who will rule in God’s stead and for His glory.
T. M. Moore
The Law of God is the soil which, fertilized by the rest of God’s Word and watered by His Spirit, brings forth the fruit of Christian life. If you’d like to understand this process better, and how to make best use of the Law in your walk with and work for the Lord, order the book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, from our online store.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.