Topical Bible: Kings: when Good: Regard God As Their Strength

◄ Kings: when Good: Regard God As Their Strength ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, kings who are deemed "good" are often characterized by their reliance on God as their source of strength and guidance. This reliance is a central theme in the accounts of several kings in the Old Testament, where their faithfulness to God is directly linked to their success and the prosperity of their kingdoms.

David: A Model of Divine Reliance

King David is perhaps the most prominent example of a king who regarded God as his strength. From his youth, David demonstrated a profound trust in God, famously declaring before his battle with Goliath, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). Throughout his reign, David consistently sought God's guidance and strength, as seen in his psalms, where he often refers to God as his rock and fortress (e.g., Psalm 18:2).

Jehoshaphat: Seeking Divine Counsel

King Jehoshaphat of Judah is another example of a king who sought strength in God. He is noted for his reforms and efforts to bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh. In a time of crisis, when faced with a vast army, Jehoshaphat turned to God in prayer, acknowledging, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chronicles 20:12). His reliance on God resulted in a miraculous victory, as God caused the enemy armies to turn on each other.

Hezekiah: Trusting in God's Deliverance

King Hezekiah is celebrated for his trust in God during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. When confronted with the threat of King Sennacherib, Hezekiah sought the Lord's help through prayer and the counsel of the prophet Isaiah. The Bible records that Hezekiah "trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel" (2 Kings 18:5), and as a result, God delivered Jerusalem by sending an angel to destroy the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35).

Josiah: A Heart Turned to God

King Josiah is remembered for his dedication to restoring the worship of Yahweh and his commitment to the Law of Moses. Upon discovering the Book of the Law, Josiah sought to align his kingdom with God's commandments, demonstrating his reliance on God for guidance and strength. His reforms were a testament to his desire to lead his people in accordance with God's will, as noted in 2 Kings 23:25 , "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength."

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of these kings illustrate a consistent theme: those who regard God as their strength experience His favor and deliverance. Their accounts serve as enduring examples of the blessings that come from trusting in God and seeking His guidance in all aspects of leadership and life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 99:4
The king's strength also loves judgment; you do establish equity, you execute judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Kings.
... in the East, he perceived a woman whose great beauty attracted his regard. ... at the
beginning of this history of the kings, suggests a good story of ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Power of God
... Before his sceptre, angels veil and prostrate themselves, and kings cast their ... the
whole power of his Godhead for the good of his ... (5.) Comfort in regard of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light against ...
... is more bound than those beneath him to regard the honour ... more to the purpose in
the presence of kings,"if I ... which are chosen by our Lord to do good to others ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxi conclusion of the.htm

Of the Three Kinds of Things There are in the World; viz. , Good ...
... reason punished or destroyed, as the Book of Kings shows us ... For Scripture makes mention
of no other good qualities or deserts of ... [1377] And with regard to want ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii of the three.htm

The Church Apostrophised as Teacher of all Wisdom. Doctrine of the ...
... Thou teachest kings to seek the good of their peoples; thou counsellest peoples
to be subject to their kings. ... whom honor is due, to whom regard, to whom ...
/.../chapter 30 name church apostrophised.htm

Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart
... 2 Chronicles 15:12 (see xxxiv.31, and 2 Kings 23:3 ... New Covenant, we know what it
reveals in regard to the ... He will rejoice in doing us good, with His whole heart ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xviii entering the covenant .htm

In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your ...
... thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all ... This is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our ... we have a specific direction with regard to women. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter viii in gods name.htm

Psalm cxxxvii. 4
... removed by conquest, under the Persian kings, from their ... one another to provoke unto
love and good works. ... readings of the Scriptures, and to regard them merely ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxix psalm cxxxvii 4.htm

How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ...
... things in his army were in a good state, he ... to have been the most excellent of all
their kings in strength ... just, and made his determination with regard to truth ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how david brought.htm

A Man of Opportunity
... of prayer to the King of kings, gathered courage ... king granted me, according to the
good hand of ... of Providence in their behalf, because they regard prudence and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 52 a man of.htm