In ancient Israel and surrounding cultures, oaths were solemn promises or affirmations, often invoking a higher authority or sacred entity to guarantee the truthfulness of one's words or the fulfillment of one's commitments. Among the various forms of oaths, swearing by the life of the king was a notable custom, reflecting the king's role as God's appointed ruler and a symbol of national stability and divine order.

Biblical Instances and Context

The practice of swearing by the life of the king is evident in several biblical passages, illustrating its significance in the socio-political and religious landscape of the time. In 1 Samuel 17:55, King Saul's inquiry about David's lineage is met with an oath by Abner, the commander of Saul's army, who says, "As surely as you live, O king, I do not know." This expression underscores the king's authority and the seriousness of the statement being made.

Similarly, in 2 Samuel 11:11, Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men, uses this form of oath when he refuses to go home to his wife while the Ark and Israel's army are encamped in the open fields. Uriah declares, "As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing." Here, the oath emphasizes Uriah's loyalty and integrity, even in the face of personal temptation.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Swearing by the life of the king was not merely a cultural formality but carried deep theological implications. The king was seen as God's anointed, a representative of divine authority on earth. Thus, invoking the king's life in an oath was akin to invoking God's witness to the truth of one's words. This practice reinforced the king's role as a mediator between God and the people, highlighting the intertwining of religious and political spheres in ancient Israel.

Theologically, this custom also reflects the biblical understanding of life as a sacred gift from God. By swearing on the life of the king, individuals acknowledged the sanctity of life and the divine order established through the monarchy. It was a recognition of the king's God-given role and the stability he provided to the nation.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the use of oaths, particularly those invoking the life of the king, demanded a high level of integrity and truthfulness. The Bible consistently warns against the misuse of oaths and the taking of God's name in vain. In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus teaches, "But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one."

While Jesus' teaching does not specifically address swearing by the life of the king, it underscores the importance of honesty and the avoidance of frivolous or deceitful oaths. The integrity of one's word should be sufficient without the need for elaborate oaths, reflecting a heart aligned with God's truth.

Conclusion

The custom of swearing by the life of the king in biblical times was a practice rich in cultural, theological, and ethical dimensions. It served as a testament to the king's divine appointment and the sacredness of life, while also calling individuals to a standard of truthfulness and integrity in their speech and commitments.Genesis 42:15,16
Hereby you shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh you shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come here.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... but withal more common, than the abominable custom of profane ... but perform unto the
Lord thine oaths; but I ... persons, who, though not guilty of swearing in the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

Instructions to Catechumens.
... more than ten days, so as to be altogether free from the evil custom of oaths. But
if after ten days we be detected swearing, let us add a penalty due to ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/instructions to catechumens.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... For so it is, oaths as they commonly pass are mere excrescences of ... Such a conceit,
I say, too many have of swearing, because a custom thereof, together ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered on the Occasion of the Prefect Entering ...
... It treats also on the subject of avoiding oaths, and on the words of the Apostle ...
of evil-speaking, but I put a stop to it; I had a custom of swearing, but I ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvi this homily was.htm

Matt. v. 27, 28
... by these objects, and he intimates this custom near the ... and of course therefore not
of the oaths made by ... "What then," it may be said, "is not swearing of the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xvii matt v 27.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... how much God is concerned for the inviolability of oaths. ... if we do not get the better
of custom, how can ... But this practice of swearing takes not even its first ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... to expel from your mouth the evil custom of oaths ... the whole of the present week
respecting oaths; thus beginning ... at all to overcome the habit of swearing, if we ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iv an exhortation to.htm

After the Whole People had Been Freed from all Distress...
... opposite to what he desired, by swearing that no ... was involved in the obligation of
the oaths); and both ... think it a sufficient apology that we can plead custom. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiv after the whole.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... his life, and upon the manner of his life in his ... All these causes of swearing, so
far as I can perceive ... flow from the same root as do the oaths themselves, even ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

An Exhortation to virtue -- and Particularly Upon the Passage...
... the day:""and again on the subject of abstaining from oaths. ... Such is the habitual
custom of those who have ... The labour of swearing is indeed exceedingly great ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily viii an exhortation to.htm

Is it wrong to swear to God? | GotQuestions.org

Why does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees so harshly in Matthew 23:13 36? | GotQuestions.org

Oaths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus