In the biblical context, the concept of "reigns" primarily refers to the period during which a king or ruler exercises authority over a kingdom or nation. The Bible provides numerous accounts of reigns, particularly in the historical books of the Old Testament, where the reigns of various kings of Israel and Judah are detailed. These reigns are often evaluated based on the ruler's faithfulness to God and adherence to His commandments.

Reigns in the Old Testament

1. The Reign of Saul: Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. His reign marked the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy. Saul's reign began with promise but was marred by disobedience to God's commands, leading to his rejection by God. "But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command" (1 Samuel 13:14).

2. The Reign of David: David, known as a man after God's own heart, succeeded Saul. His reign is characterized by military conquests, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, and the unification of Israel. Despite personal failings, David's reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history. "And David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people" (2 Samuel 8:15).

3. The Reign of Solomon: Solomon, David's son, is renowned for his wisdom and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, but his later years were troubled by idolatry and political alliances that led Israel away from God. "So King Solomon became greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth" (1 Kings 10:23).

4. The Divided Kingdom: After Solomon's death, the kingdom was divided into Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom). The reigns of the kings in these two kingdoms are chronicled in the books of Kings and Chronicles, with varying degrees of faithfulness to God. The northern kingdom had no kings who fully followed God, while Judah had a few notable righteous kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah.

Reigns in the New Testament

The New Testament shifts focus from earthly reigns to the spiritual reign of Christ. Jesus Christ is presented as the King of Kings, whose reign is eternal and whose kingdom is not of this world. "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm'" (John 18:36).

The Reign of Christ

The reign of Christ is a central theme in Christian eschatology. Believers anticipate the return of Christ, when He will establish His kingdom fully and reign in righteousness. "Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever'" (Revelation 11:15).

Theological Significance

The reigns of earthly kings in the Bible serve as a backdrop to highlight the ultimate sovereignty of God. While human rulers often fail, God's reign is perfect and eternal. The biblical narrative points to the hope of a future reign of Christ, where justice, peace, and righteousness will prevail. This hope is a cornerstone of Christian faith, encouraging believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return and His eternal kingdom.936. basileuo -- to be king, reign
... Word Origin from basileus Definition to be king, reign NASB Word Usage become kings
(2), kings (1), reign (12), reigned (4), reigning (1), reigns (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/936.htm - 7k

932. basileia -- kingdom, sovereignty, royal power
... Word Origin from basileuo Definition kingdom, sovereignty, royal power NASB Word
Usage kingdom (159), kingdoms (3), reigns* (1). kingdom, reign. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/932.htm - 7k

2192. echo -- to have, hold
... 2), obtained (1), owned (3), possess (2), possessed (4), possesses (1), receive
(1), received (1), recover* (1), regard (2), regarded (1), reigns* (1), remember ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2192.htm - 11k

4427a. malak -- to be or become king or queen, to reign
... king (2), make...king (1), make...king (3), making...king (1), put on the throne
(1), queen (1), reign (39), reigned (96), reigning (1), reigns (8), rule (2 ...
/hebrew/4427a.htm - 6k

3117. yom -- day
... long (2), long as i live (1), long* (11), midday* (1), now (5), older* (1), once
(2), period (3), perpetually* (2), present (1), recently (1), reigns (1), ripe ...
/hebrew/3117.htm - 7k

February the Twenty-First Grace Reigns!
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-first GRACE REIGNS! ROMANS v.12-21. When old Mr. Honest
came to the river, and he entered the cold waters of ...
/.../february the twenty-first grace reigns.htm

Alexandra Reigns Nine Years, During which Time the Pharisees were ...
... CHAPTER 5. Alexandra Reigns Nine Years, During Which Time The Pharisees
Were The Real Rulers Of The Nation. 1. Now Alexander left ...
/.../chapter 5 alexandra reigns nine.htm

Th' Almighty Reigns Exalted High O'er all the Earth, O'er all the ...
... 1 Th' Almighty reigns exalted high O'er all the earth, o'er all the sky, Tho' clouds
and darkness veil his feet, His dwelling is the mercy-seat. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/1 th almighty reigns exalted.htm

Harwell. D. Jesus Reigns.
... 151 Harwell. 8s & 7s. D. Jesus Reigns. Jesus Reigns. (354) Hark! ten thousand
harps and voices Sound the note of praise above; Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/151 harwell 8s & 7s.htm

God Reigns in a Pure Heart.
... BOOK II. ON THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT.CHAPTER I. ON THE NATURE AND EXCELLENCE OF
THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT: SECTION VIII."God Reigns in a Pure Heart. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section viii god reigns in a.htm

The Tyranny of Lust Being Thus Overthrown, Charity Reigns through ...
... Book 3 Chapter 23. The tyranny of lust being thus overthrown, charity
reigns through its supremely just laws? 23. The tyranny ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 23 the tyranny of.htm

This Only Begotten Word of God Reigns, from Ages which had no ...
... Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter II. This only
begotten Word of God reigns, from ages which had no beginning? ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter ii this only begotten.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany. Lift up Your Eyes unto the Heavens ...
... Soul, remember 'mid thy pains,. God o'er all for ever reigns. God liveth ever! ... Soul,
forget not 'mid thy pains,. God o'er all for ever reigns. God liveth ever! ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/second sunday after epiphany lift.htm

Christ's Kingdom among the Gentiles. 1 Jesus Shall Reign Where'er ...
... 4 Blessings abound where'er he reigns; The joyful prisoner bursts his chains;
The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blest. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/284 christs kingdom among.htm

Of the Old Testament, Therefore, First of all There have Been ...
... Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; Then Jesus Nave, (Joshua the son of Nun), The Book
of Judges together with Ruth; then four books of Kings (Reigns), which the ...
/.../37 of the old testament.htm

Reigns (22 Occurrences)
...Reigns (22 Occurrences). ... Revelation 17:18 The woman whom you saw is the great
city, which reigns over the kings of the earth." (WEB NAS). ...
/r/reigns.htm - 12k

Canonicity
... From their memoirs of the successive reigns, as the later books testify (1 Chronicles
29:29 2 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 12:15, etc.), are compiled most of ...
/c/canonicity.htm - 37k

Sits (52 Occurrences)
... The Lord will have them in derision. (WEB NAS RSV). Psalms 9:7 But Yahweh reigns
forever. ... Psalms 47:8 God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. ...
/s/sits.htm - 21k

Omri (16 Occurrences)
... He fixed his dynasty on the throne so firmly that it continued during four succeeding
reigns. Tirza was for six years the seat of his government. ...
/o/omri.htm - 20k

Joram (26 Occurrences)
... Elisha, however, survived Jehoram many years, and it is possible that some
of the events are to be referred to subsequent reigns. ...
/j/joram.htm - 27k

Firmly (47 Occurrences)
... Selah. (WEB NAS). Psalms 93:1 Yahweh reigns! ... (See NAS NIV). Psalms 96:10 Say among
the nations, "Yahweh reigns." The world is also established. ...
/f/firmly.htm - 19k

Micah (54 Occurrences)
... prophets. The superscription to this book states that the prophet exercised
his office in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. ...
/m/micah.htm - 38k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying,
"Haven't you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)
... The number of kings is ten; the sum of their united reigns is one hundred and twenty
sars, a multiple of ten and of the basal number of the Babylonian ...
/p/patriarchs.htm - 37k

Antediluvian
... The number of kings is ten; the sum of their united reigns is one hundred and twenty
sars, a multiple of ten and of the basal number of the Babylonian ...
/a/antediluvian.htm - 35k

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Amos - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What does “how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” mean in Isaiah 52:7? | GotQuestions.org

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