King: 14 definitions

Introduction
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In Christianity
1. General definition
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Introduction:

King means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.

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In Christianity

General definition (in Christianity)

Source: archive.org: Easton's Bible Dictionary

King definition and references: Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Joshua 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judges 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Peter 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matthew 14:9; Mark 6:22).

This title is applied to God (1 Timothy 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Timothy 6:15, 16; Matthew 27:11). The people of God are also called “kings” (Daniel 7:22, 27; Matthew 19:28; Revelation 1:6, etc.). Death is called the “king of terrors” (Job 18:14).

Jehovah was the sole King of the Jewish nation (1 Samuel 8:7; Isaiah 33:22). But there came a time in the history of that people when a king was demanded, that they might be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5). The prophet Samuel remonstrated with them, but the people cried out, “Nay, but we will have a king over us.” The misconduct of Samuel’s sons was the immediate cause of this demand.

The Hebrew kings did not rule in their own right, nor in name of the people who had chosen them, but partly as servants and partly as representatives of Jehovah, the true King of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). The limits of the king’s power were prescribed (1 Samuel 10:25). The officers of his court were, (1) the recorder or remembrancer (2 Samuel 8:16; 1 Kings 4:3); (2) the scribe (2 Samuel 8:17; 20:25); (3) the officer over the house, the chief steward (Isaiah 22:15); (4) the “king’s friend,” a confidential companion (1 Kings 4:5); (5) the keeper of the wardrobe (2 Kings 22:14); (6) captain of the bodyguard (2 Samuel 20:23); (7) officers over the king’s treasures, etc. (1 Chronicles 27:25-31); (8) commander-in-chief of the army (1 Chronicles 27:34); (9) the royal counsellor (1 Chronicles 27:32; 2 Samuel 16:20-23).

(For catalogue of kings of Israel and Judah see chronological table in Appendix.)

Source: archive.org: Smith's Bible Dictionary

1) King refers to:—“a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country.”—Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor unless they placed themselves under the sway of a king, like surrounding nations. The original idea of a Hebrew King was twofold: first, that he should lead the people to battle in time of war; and, a second, that he should execute judgment and justice to them in war and in peace. (1 Samuel 8:20) In both respects the desired end was attained. Besides being commander-in-chief of the army, supreme judge, and absolute master, as it were, of the lives of his subjects, the king exercised the power of imposing taxes on them, and of exacting from them personal service and labor. In addition to these earthly powers, the king of Israel had a more awful claim to respect and obedience. He was the vicegerent of Jehovah, (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13) and as it were his son, if just and holy. (2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 2:6,7; 89:26,27) he had been set apart as a consecrated ruler. Upon his dead had been poured the holy anointing oil, which had hitherto been reserved exclusively for the priests of Jehovah. He had become, in fact, emphatically “the Lord’s anointed.” He had a court of Oriental magnificence. The king was dressed in royal robes, (1 Kings 22:10; 2 Chronicles 18:9) his insignia were, a crown or diadem of pure gold, or perhaps radiant with precious gems, (2 Samuel 1:10; 12:30; 2 Kings 11:12; Psalms 21:3) and a royal sceptre. Those who approached him did him obeisance, bowing down and touching the ground with their foreheads, (1 Samuel 24:8; 2 Samuel 19:24) and this was done even by a king’s wife, the mother of Solomon. (1 Kings 1:16) His officers and subjects called themselves his servants or slaves. He had a large harem, which was guarded by eunuchs. The law of succession to the throne is somewhat obscure, but it seems most probable that the king during his lifetime named his successor. At the same time, if no partiality for a favorite wife or son intervened, there would always be a natural bias of affection in favor of the eldest son.

2) Kings refers to:—of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.

Source: archive.org: Nave's Topical Bible

King definition and references: –Called King Of Kings Ezra 7:12; Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37
–Divinely authorized Deuteronomy 17:15; 1 Samuel 9:16,17; 16:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 2 Chronicles 2:11,12; Proverbs 8:15; Daniel 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:20; Hosea 8:4; 13:11
–How chosen
–By divine appointment, Saul 1 Samuel 10:1
–David and the Davidic dynasty 1 Samuel 16:1-13
–Hereditary succession 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 1:28-30; 2 Chronicles 21:3,4; Psalms 89:35-37
–See Israel, Kings Of Judah
–Not hereditary 1 Chronicles 1:43-51
–See Israel, Kings Of Israel, after the revolt
–By lot 1 Samuel 10:20,21
–Modes of induction into office
–By anointing
–See Anointing
–By proclamation 2 Samuel 15:10; 1 Kings 1:33,34; 2 Kings 9:13; 11:12
–By an oath 2 Kings 11:4
–Ceremonial recognition of
–Prostration 1 Samuel 25:41; 2 Samuel 9:6,8; 1 Kings 1:23,31,47
–Obeisance 1 Kings 1:16
–Kneeling before Matthew 27:29
–Salutation to: “O king, live forever,” Daniel 2:4; 6:6,21
–Acts as Judge 2 Samuel 8:15; 15:2; 1 Kings 10:9; 2 Kings 8:1-6; Psalms 72:1-4; 122:5; Acts 25:11,12,20
–Precepts concerning Deuteronomy 17:14-19; Proverbs 31:4,5; Ezekiel 46:16-18
–Obedience to, enjoined Ecclesiastes 8:2-5
–Rights and duties of Proverbs 25:2,5,6,15; 29:4,12,14; Jeremiah 21:12
–Exercise executive clemency 1 Samuel 11:13
–Constitutional restrictions of Deuteronomy 17:18-20; 1 Samuel 10:24,25; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Kings 11:12,17; 2 Chronicles 23:11; Jeremiah 34:8-11; Daniel 6:12-15
–Influenced by popular opinion
–Saul 1 Samuel 14:45; 15:24
–David 2 Chronicles 20:21
–Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 30:2
–Zedekiah Jeremiah 38:19,24-27
–Herod Matthew 14:5; Acts 12:2,3
–Pilate John 19:6-13
–Religious duties of Ezekiel 45:9-25; 46:2,4-8
–Deification of Ezekiel 28:2,9
–Loyalty to, enjoined Proverbs 16:14,15; Ecclesiastes 10:20
–Influential queens
–Bath-sheba 1 Kings 1:28-34
–Jezebel 1 Kings 18:4,13; 19:1-3; 21:5-16
–Esther Esther 5:1-8
–Respect due to Job 34:18; Isaiah 8:21; Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17
–Profiting from
–Confiscations of property 2 Samuel 16:4; 1 Kings 21:1-16
–Plunder 2 Samuel 12:30; 1 Chronicles 26:27; 2 Chronicles 24:23
–Tariff on imports, and internal revenue on merchandise 1 Kings 10:15-29
–Taxes 2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 12:18; 2 Chronicles 17:11
–Poll tax Matthew 17:24-27
–Presents 1 Samuel 10:27; 16:20; 2 Samuel 8:2; 1 Kings 10:2,10,25; 2 Chronicles 9:24; Psalms 72:10
–Commissary of 1 Kings 4:7-19,27,28; 1 Chronicles 27:25-31; 2 Chronicles 26:10; 32:28,29
–Extensive livestock of Judges 12:14; 1 Kings 1:33; 4:26; 10:25; 2 Chronicles 9:24,25; Esther 6:8
–Chief officers of
–The captain of the army 2 Samuel 8:16; 1 Kings 4:4
–The recorder 2 Samuel 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kings 4:3
–The scribe 2 Samuel 8:17; 20:25; 1 Kings 4:3
–The chief priests 2 Samuel 8:17; 20:25; 1 Kings 4:2
–The chief of the bodyguard 2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18; 20:23; 1 Chronicles 11:25
–The collector of taxes 2 Samuel 20:24
–The chief ruler 2 Samuel 20:26; 1 Kings 4:5; Esther 3:1,2; 8:1,2,15; 10:3
–The advisor 1 Kings 4:5
–The provincial governors Daniel 6:1-3
–Subordinate officers of
–The governor of the household 1 Kings 4:6; 2 Chronicles 28:7
–The keeper of the wardrobe 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22
–Drunkenness of, forbidden Proverbs 31:4,5
–Drunken, instances of Hosea 7:5
–Baasha 1 Kings 16:9
–Ben-hadad 1 Kings 20:16
–Belshazzar Daniel 5:1-4,23
–Ahasuerus Esther 1:7,10; 5:6; 7:2
–Prayer for Ezra 6:10
–Prayer for, enjoined Timothy 2:1,2
–Decrees of, irrevocable Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:8,9,12-15
–Chronicles of, recorded 1 Kings 11:41; 14:19; 2 Kings 21:25; 1 Chronicles 9:1; 27:24; 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 20:34; 26:22; 32:32; Ezra 5:17; Esther 6:1
–See Government
–See Rulers
–For the kings of Israel, before and after the revolt of the ten tribes
–See Israel

Source: archive.org: Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

King refers to:—King, a title applied in the Scriptures to men, to God, and to Christ—to men, as invested with regal authority by their fellows; to God, as the sole proper sovereign and ruler of the universe; and to Christ, as the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of the Jews, the sole Head and Governor of His church.

Regal authority was altogether alien to the institutions of Moses in their original and unadulterated form. Their fundamental idea was that Jehovah was the sole king of the nation: to use the emphatic words in , 'The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king.' We consider it as a sign of that self-confidence and moral enterprise which are produced in great men by a consciousness of being what they profess, that Moses ventured, with his half-civilized hordes, on the bold experiment of founding a society without a king, and that in the solicitude which he must have felt for the success of his great undertaking, he forewent the advantages which a regal government would have afforded.

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Source: archive.org: Fausset's Bible Dictionary

King refers to:—Moses (Deuteronomy 17:14-17) contemplated the contingency of a king being set up in Israel as in all the adjoining nations. The theocracy and the law could be maintained under kings as under a commonwealth. God's promise was," kings of people shall be of Sarah" (Genesis 17:16). Other allusions to kings to come occur (Genesis 36:31; Numbers 24:17; Deuteronomy 28:36). The request of the people (1 Samuel 8:5, etc.), "make us a king to judge us like all the nations," evidently is molded after Deuteronomy 17:14; so Samuel's language in presenting Saul to the people (1 Samuel 10:24) as "him whom the Lord hath chosen" alludes to Moses' direction (Deuteronomy 17:15), "thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose." It was not the mere desire for a king which is blamed, but the spirit of their request and the circumstances under which they made it.

They set aside Samuel, though appointed by the heavenly King, on the pretext "behold thou art old," though he took a leading part in state affairs for 35 years afterward (1 Samuel 8:5), "they have not rejected thee but ... Me that I should not reign over them"; they distrusted God's power and will to save them from Nahash (1 Samuel 12:12), though He had delivered them from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7). Samuel's sons were corrupt, but that did not warrant their desire to set aside himself, whom none could accuse of corruption (1 Samuel 12). Impatience of God's yoke (the laws of the theocracy), eagerness to imitate the nations around, and unbelief in trial, instead of seeking for the cause of their misfortunes in themselves, were the sin of their request. God in retribution "gave them a king in His anger" (Hosea 13:10-11).

Samuel by God's direction warned them of the evil results of their desire, the prerogative to dispose of their property and their children at will, which he would claim; yet they refused to obey: "nay, but we will have a king, that we also may be like all the nations, and that the king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." The sacred record of Solomon's multiplying horses and chariots from Egypt, and foreign wives who turned away his heart, alludes to the prohibition (Deuteronomy 17:16-17; compare Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Exodus 34:16), and proceeds to verify the prediction of the results of disobedience to it. God saves not by horses and horsemen, but by the Lord His people's God (Hosea 1:7). Moses' caution against "returning to Egypt" accords with his experience (Numbers 14:4).

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Relevant text

Search found 612 books and stories containing King, The king, Kings; (plurals include: Kings, The kings, Kingses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 22 - On Sudarśana’s marriage < [Book 3]

Chapter 20 - On the Svayamvara hall and the kings conversation there < [Book 3]

Chapter 23 - On the killing of the enemy of Sudarśana in the great war < [Book 3]

+ 238 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 51 - Kaishika Worships Krishna < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]

Chapter 53 - Jarasandha’s Proposal to Invite Kalayavana < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]

Chapter 35 - Jarasandha’s Army < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]

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Canto 13 - The Brahmin Reaches Dvarika

Part 4 - Story of the Jarasandhavadha Mahakavyam < [Critical Introduction]

Part 5 - Canto-wise Summary (of the Jarasandhavadha Mahakavyam) < [Critical Introduction]

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