Topical Bible: Oath: King of Samaria Confirms his Word With An

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In the biblical context, an oath is a solemn promise or declaration, often invoking God as a witness to the truth of what is being affirmed or to the binding nature of a commitment. Oaths are significant in the Bible as they underscore the seriousness and sacredness of one's word, especially in leadership and governance.

The Kingdom of Samaria, part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, provides a backdrop for understanding the use of oaths by its kings. The kings of Samaria, like other leaders in Israel, were expected to rule with justice and integrity, often confirming their words and decisions with oaths to assure their subjects of their sincerity and commitment.

One notable instance involving a king of Samaria and an oath is found in the narrative of King Ahab. Although the Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly mention Ahab making an oath, his interactions and decisions often implied a need for solemn promises, especially in dealings with prophets and foreign powers. For example, in 1 Kings 22, Ahab seeks the counsel of prophets before going to war against Ramoth-gilead. His insistence on hearing from the prophet Micaiah, despite preferring favorable prophecies, reflects the weight of divine confirmation akin to an oath.

In another instance, King Jehu, who was anointed to destroy the house of Ahab, uses an oath-like declaration to solidify his commitment to God's command. In 2 Kings 10:30, the Lord acknowledges Jehu's actions, saying, "Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." This divine affirmation serves as a form of oath, confirming Jehu's legitimacy and the divine approval of his actions.

The use of oaths by the kings of Samaria underscores the importance of truthfulness and accountability before God. In a society where the king's word could determine the fate of nations, invoking an oath was a means to ensure that decisions were made with the utmost seriousness and divine oversight.

The biblical perspective on oaths, as seen in the broader scriptural context, emphasizes that they should not be taken lightly. Jesus Himself, in the New Testament, teaches about the integrity of one's word, saying, "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37). This teaching reflects the ideal that one's word should be as binding as an oath, highlighting the call to honesty and integrity in all dealings.

In summary, the concept of an oath in the context of the kings of Samaria illustrates the biblical principle that leaders are to be held to a high standard of truthfulness and accountability, with their words and promises carrying the weight of divine witness.

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2 Kings 6:31
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
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Library

Introduction
... the fidelity of the Jew to his oath, employed many ... Symmachus of Samaria, who, according
to Eusebius (HE VI ... under the auspices of a Pagan king centuries before ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/introduction.htm

Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... after Trinity, which I think, too, confirms this view ... proved from Holy Scripture,
that a King, chosen in ... Nordlingen should write word that his "Brother Tauler ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... after the jumbling way of the heathen by his oath, puts the ... of fear""And I am a great
king, saith the ... was sent back from the captivity to Samaria to teach ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... advice to Jacob, and her exacting an oath from Esau ... There was a king in Edom, Balak
son of Beor ... Perhaps some jealous feeling against Samaria may have led to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... Israel because he had given them such a king as Solomon ... and doves' dung, that was
only in Samaria, and of ... spoken by him that is of power to perform his word. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... which had been expounded and analysed by Hermippus in his commentaries on ... King Vishtaspa
is said to have caused two authentic copies of the ... The word Avesta, in ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the XXIInd (Bubastite) dynasty"Sheshonq I. as king and his ... I.--- Omri and the foundation
of Samaria: Ahab and ... from watering the earth; but when His wrath was ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the devil is called, the prince of this world; so the whale is called, king over
all ... but he plants them in his house by the mighty power of his word and Spirit ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm