The term "kingly" refers to characteristics, attributes, or actions befitting a king. In the biblical context, it encompasses the qualities and responsibilities associated with kingship as depicted in the Scriptures. The Bible provides numerous examples of both earthly and divine kingship, offering insights into what is considered kingly from a biblical perspective.

Earthly Kingship

The concept of kingship in Israel began with the people's request for a king to lead them, as recorded in 1 Samuel 8:5-7. The Israelites desired to be like other nations, having a human king to judge and lead them in battle. God granted their request, and Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel. The king was expected to rule with justice, wisdom, and obedience to God's laws. In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God provided specific instructions for kings, emphasizing the importance of humility, adherence to the law, and reliance on God rather than military might or wealth.

David, the second king of Israel, is often highlighted as a model of kingly behavior, despite his personal failings. He is described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), and his reign is marked by a deep commitment to God and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. David's psalms reflect his kingly devotion and reliance on God for guidance and strength.

Solomon, David's son, is renowned for his wisdom, a kingly attribute granted by God in response to Solomon's request for discernment (1 Kings 3:9-12). His reign is characterized by peace and prosperity, and he is credited with building the First Temple in Jerusalem, a significant kingly achievement. However, Solomon's later years were marred by idolatry and disobedience, illustrating the potential pitfalls of kingship.

Divine Kingship

The Bible also presents the concept of divine kingship, with God as the ultimate King. God's sovereignty is a central theme throughout Scripture, and His kingly rule is depicted as perfect, just, and eternal. In Psalm 47:7-8, the psalmist declares, "For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne."

The prophetic literature often speaks of a future kingly figure, the Messiah, who would embody divine kingship. Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesies the coming of a ruler whose government and peace will have no end, establishing justice and righteousness. This messianic expectation is fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).

Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility and servanthood, contrasting with earthly notions of power and dominance. In John 18:36, Jesus states, "My kingdom is not of this world," highlighting the spiritual nature of His reign. His kingly mission culminates in His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, securing redemption for humanity and establishing His eternal kingdom.

Kingly Attributes

Biblical kingship is associated with several key attributes, including justice, wisdom, humility, and obedience to God. A kingly leader is expected to uphold righteousness, protect the vulnerable, and promote the welfare of the people. Proverbs 16:12-13 emphasizes the importance of righteousness in leadership: "It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks honestly."

The kingly role also involves stewardship and accountability. Kings are entrusted with the responsibility to govern wisely and to lead the people in accordance with God's will. The failure to do so often results in divine judgment, as seen in the histories of Israel and Judah's kings.

In summary, the biblical concept of "kingly" encompasses both the human and divine aspects of kingship, highlighting the qualities and responsibilities that define true leadership according to God's standards.Kingly office of Christ

One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator.

Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that which essentially belongs to him as God, for it is given to him by the Father as the reward of his obedience and sufferings (Philippians 2:6-11), and has as its especial object the upbuilding and the glory of his redeemed Church. It attaches, moreover, not to his divine nature as such, but to his person as God-man.

Christ's mediatorial kingdom may be regarded as comprehending, (1) his kingdom of power, or his providential government of the universe; (2) his kingdom of grace, which is wholly spiritual in its subjects and administration; and (3) his kingdom of glory, which is the consummation of all his providential and gracious administration.

Christ sustained and exercised the function of mediatorial King as well as of Prophet and Priest, from the time of the fall of man, when he entered on his mediatorial work; yet it may be said that he was publicly and formally enthroned when he ascended up on high and sat down at the Father's right hand (Psalm 2:6; Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 9:6), after his work of humiliation and suffering on earth was "finished."

1. (superl.) Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king; characteristic of, resembling, a king; directed or administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal; august; noble; grand.

2. (adv.) In a kingly or kinglike manner.

937. basilikos -- royal
... the king's country. Cognate: 937 -- kingly (royal), befitting a king; kingly
dignity, belonging to a king. See 932 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/937.htm - 7k

4061. peritome -- circumcision
... Accordingly, the "promise-sign" of circumcision became associated with the () .
[Christ was prophesied to come through the (line) of Judah (the kingly tribe).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4061.htm - 7k

934. basileios -- royal
... See 932 (). Word Origin from basileus Definition royal NASB Word Usage royal (1).
royal. From basileus; kingly (in nature) -- royal. see GREEK basileus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/934.htm - 6k

746. arche -- beginning, origin
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: arche Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khay') Short
Definition: ruler, beginning Definition: (a) rule (kingly or magisterial ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

1238. diadema -- a diadem, a crown
... diadem. 1238 -- properly, a crown: "a narrow filet encircling the brow,"
a "kingly ornament for the head" (R. Trench, 78). 1238 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1238.htm - 7k

4437. malku -- royalty, reign, kingdom
... kingdom, kingly, realm, reign. (Aramaic) corresponding to malkuwth; dominion
(abstractly or concretely) -- kingdom, kingly, realm, reign. see HEBREW malkuwth. ...
/hebrew/4437.htm - 6k

The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints. A Sermon (No.10). Delivered on Sabbath
Morning, January 28th, 1855, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm

Christ's Kingly Office
... 5. The covenant of grace and its mediator 5. Christ's Kingly Office. ... Jesus Christ
is of mighty renown, he is a king; (1.) he has a kingly title. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 christs kingly office.htm

Of the Fact that Matthew, Together with Mark, had Specially in ...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter III."Of the Fact that Matthew, Together
with Mark, Had Specially in View the Kingly Character of Christ, Whereas ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iii of the fact that.htm

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne and Thy Kingly Crown
... THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Christmas 83. Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown.
PM ... Emily ES Elliott, 1864. Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown,. ...
/.../christmas 83 thou didst leave.htm

The Fourfold Message.
... For a great purpose He chose to live as a peasant, as one of the common folks. But
He was of the blood royal. He has the long unbroken kingly lineage. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the fourfold message.htm

How Moses Discharged the Part of a Military Leader.
... Tactics belong to military command, and the ability to command an army
is among the attributes of kingly rule. Legislation, again ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiv how moses discharged the.htm

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... The nature of the Kingly power of Christ, and the advantage we derive from it,
sec.3-5. III. Of the Priesthood of Christ, and the efficacy of it, sec.6. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

A vision of the King.
... Heaven's and the Father's Glory. The kingly Glory of our blessed Lord is
one of the great themes of the Bible. The Man of humiliation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/a vision of the king.htm

How Samuel when He was So Infirm with Old Age that He could not ...
... These words greatly afflicted Samuel, on account of his innate love of justice,
and his hatred to kingly government, for he was very fond of an aristocracy, as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how samuel when.htm

Faith the Foundation of all Knowledge.
... In The Statesman he says expressly, "So that the knowledge of the true king is kingly;
and he who possesses it, whether a prince or private person, shall by ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv faith the foundation of.htm

Kingly (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Kingly office of Christ. ... 2. (adv.) In a kingly or kinglike
manner. Multi-Version Concordance Kingly (7 Occurrences). ...
/k/kingly.htm - 10k

Royal (154 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Kingly; pertaining to the crown or the sovereign; suitable for a king or
queen; regal; as, royal power or prerogative; royal domains; the royal family ...
/r/royal.htm - 42k

Lawgiver (7 Occurrences)
... extend beyond the meaning "to enact laws." The Hebrew word is restricted to poetic
passages, and except in Isaiah 33:22 is applied to a tribal or kingly ruler. ...
/l/lawgiver.htm - 13k

Inflicting (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/i/inflicting.htm - 7k

Results (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/r/results.htm - 11k

Exercised (20 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/e/exercised.htm - 12k

Bestowing (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/b/bestowing.htm - 7k

Sway (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/s/sway.htm - 9k

Exercise (35 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/e/exercise.htm - 22k

Offices (14 Occurrences)
... Expressed in Sacrificial Terms VI. CHRIST'S KINGLY OFFICE The Breakdown
of the Secular Monarchy VII. THE MESSIANIC BASIS OF THE ...
/o/offices.htm - 43k

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