KING,

Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22). This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Matt. 27:11). The people of God are also called “kings” (Dan. 7:22, 27; Matt. 19:28; Rev. 1:6, etc.). Death is called the “king of terrors” (Job 18:14). Jehovah was the sole King of the Jewish nation (1 Sam. 8:7; Isa. 33:22). But there came a time in the history of that people when a king was demanded, that they might be like other nations (1 Sam. 8:5). The prophet Samuel remonstrated with them, but the people cried out, “Nay, but we will have a king over us.” The misconduct of Samuel’s sons was the immediate cause of this demand. The Hebrew kings did not rule in their own right, nor in name of the people who had chosen them, but partly as servants and partly as representatives of Jehovah, the true King of Israel (1 Sam. 10:1). The limits of the king’s power were prescribed (1 Sam. 10:25). The officers of his court were, (1) the recorder or remembrancer (2 Sam. 8:16; 1 Kings 4:3); (2) the scribe (2 Sam. 8:17; 20:25); (3) the officer over the house, the chief steward (Isa. 22:15); (4) the “king’s friend,” a confidential companion (1 Kings 4:5); (5) the keeper of the wardrobe (2 Kings 22:14); (6) captain of the bodyguard (2 Sam. 20:23); (7) officers over the king’s treasures, etc. (1 Chr. 27:25-31); (8) commander-in-chief of the army (1 Chr. 27:34); (9) the royal counsellor (1 Chr. 27:32; 2 Sam. 16:20-23). (For catalogue of kings of Israel and Judah see chronological table in Appendix.)

“a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country.”—Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor unless they placed themselves under the sway of a king, like surrounding nations. The original idea of a Hebrew King was twofold: first, that he should lead the people to battle in time of war; and, a second, that he should execute judgment and justice to them in war and in peace. (1 Samuel 8:20) In both respects the desired end was attained. Besides being commander-in-chief of the army, supreme judge, and absolute master, as it were, of the lives of his subjects, the king exercised the power of imposing taxes on them, and of exacting from them personal service and labor. In addition to these earthly powers, the king of Israel had a more awful claim to respect and obedience. He was the vicegerent of Jehovah, (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13) and as it were his son, if just and holy. (2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 2:6,7; 89:26,27) he had been set apart as a consecrated ruler. Upon his dead had been poured the holy anointing oil, which had hitherto been reserved exclusively for the priests of Jehovah. He had become, in fact, emphatically “the Lord’s anointed.” He had a court of Oriental magnificence. The king was dressed in royal robes, (1 Kings 22:10; 2 Chronicles 18:9) his insignia were, a crown or diadem of pure gold, or perhaps radiant with precious gems, (2 Samuel 1:10; 12:30; 2 Kings 11:12; Psalms 21:3) and a royal sceptre. Those who approached him did him obeisance, bowing down and touching the ground with their foreheads, (1 Samuel 24:8; 2 Samuel 19:24) and this was done even by a king’s wife, the mother of Solomon. (1 Kings 1:16) His officers and subjects called themselves his servants or slaves. He had a large harem, which was guarded by eunuchs. The law of succession to the throne is somewhat obscure, but it seems most probable that the king during his lifetime named his successor. At the same time, if no partiality for a favorite wife or son intervened, there would always be a natural bias of affection in favor of the eldest son.

KING, a general title for a supreme ruler. It is applied to — God, as "the Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only wise." 1 Tim 1:17. The titles and attributes of earthly royalty are applied to God because much of the language of Scripture was formed under the monarchical idea, and the highest dignity and splendor was that of the king. Christ, as supreme over all rulers, 1 Tim 6:15; over the Jews. Matt 27:11; Luke 19:38; John 1:49. To human rulers, without regard to the size or importance of their dominions; e.g. sheiks or chiefs of Edom, Gen 36:31; Midian, Num 31:8; Moab, Num 23:7, etc. Rulers in single towns, as Melchizedek, king of Salem. Gen 14:18. To a victor, Num 23:21; to a person of splendid appearance, Jud 8:18; the Roman emperor, 1 Pet 2:13; the kings of Egypt, Ex 3:19; Judah, 2 Kgs 8:16; Persia, Ezr 4:3, etc.; to the tetrarch Herod, Matt 14:9; to the people of God, Rev 1:6;Rev 5:10; see also Dan 7:22, Heb 7:27; Matt 19:27; 1 Cor 6:2; 1 Pet 2:9; to death, Job 18:14; to leviathan, Job 41:34; to the devil. Rev 9:11. The name was given in Israel first to Saul, then to David and Solomon, and then to the rulers of Israel and Judah until the Captivity. The divine plan was that God alone should be King. But provision was made for the natural desire of the people for a king like those of other nations. Deut 17:14; 1 Sam 8:9. He was to be a native Israelite, was not to multiply horses, nor take the people back to Egypt, nor gather a harem, nor accumulate great treasure; he was to keep a copy of the Law by him and study it, to fear God, be obedient, humble, and righteous. After the transition period of the Judges, Samuel, the last of the class, anointed Saul, 1 Sam 9, as a special military leader was needed at the siege of Jabesh-gilead. 1 Sam 11. After Saul's disobedience and rejection, 1 Sam 15, Samuel anointed David. For the succeeding dates, etc., see the table at the side and articles under the names of the kings. The kings over the Hebrews were regarded as the representatives of God, drawing their power and receiving their appointment from him. 1 Sam 10:1; 1 Chr 28:4. His office was sacred, 2 Sam 1:14; he could declare war, 1 Sam 11:7; levy taxes and demand service, 2 Kgs 5; he was the court of justice of the last resort, 2 Sam 15:2; held KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH. Showing their Order, Relative Length of Reigns, Contemporary Kings of Judah and Israel after the Division, etc.

KING, a general title for a supreme ruler. It is applied to — God, as "the Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only wise." 1 Tim 1:17. The titles and attributes of earthly royalty are applied to God because much of the language of Scripture was formed under the monarchical idea, and the highest dignity and splendor was that of the king. Christ, as supreme over all rulers, 1 Tim 6:15; over the Jews. Matt 27:11; Luke 19:38; John 1:49. To human rulers, without regard to the size or importance of their dominions; e.g. sheiks or chiefs of Edom, Gen 36:31; Midian, Num 31:8; Moab, Num 23:7, etc. Rulers in single towns, as Melchizedek, king of Salem. Gen 14:18. To a victor, Num 23:21; to a person of splendid appearance, Jud 8:18; the Roman emperor, 1 Pet 2:13; the kings of Egypt, Ex 3:19; Judah, 2 Kgs 8:16; Persia, Ezr 4:3, etc.; to the tetrarch Herod, Matt 14:9; to the people of God, Rev 1:6;Rev 5:10; see also Dan 7:22, Heb 7:27; Matt 19:27; 1 Cor 6:2; 1 Pet 2:9; to death, Job 18:14; to leviathan, Job 41:34; to the devil. Rev 9:11. The name was given in Israel first to Saul, then to David and Solomon, and then to the rulers of Israel and Judah until the Captivity. The divine plan was that God alone should be King. But provision was made for the natural desire of the people for a king like those of other nations. Deut 17:14; 1 Sam 8:9. He was to be a native Israelite, was not to multiply horses, nor take the people back to Egypt, nor gather a harem, nor accumulate great treasure; he was to keep a copy of the Law by him and study it, to fear God, be obedient, humble, and righteous. After the transition period of the Judges, Samuel, the last of the class, anointed Saul, 1 Sam 9, as a special military leader was needed at the siege of Jabesh-gilead. 1 Sam 11. After Saul's disobedience and rejection, 1 Sam 15, Samuel anointed David. For the succeeding dates, etc., see the table at the side and articles under the names of the kings. The kings over the Hebrews were regarded as the representatives of God, drawing their power and receiving their appointment from him. 1 Sam 10:1; 1 Chr 28:4. His office was sacred, 2 Sam 1:14; he could declare war, 1 Sam 11:7; levy taxes and demand service, 2 Kgs 5; he was the court of justice of the last resort, 2 Sam 15:2; held KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH. Showing their Order, Relative Length of Reigns, Contemporary Kings of Judah and Israel after the Division, etc. KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH.— Continued.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A Chinese musical instrument, consisting of resonant stones or metal plates, arranged according to their tones in a frame of wood, and struck with a hammer.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A chief ruler; a sovereign; one invested with supreme authority over a nation, country, or tribe, usually by hereditary succession; a monarch; a prince. "Ay, every inch a king." Shak. Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle. Burke. There was a State without king or nobles. R. Choate. But yonder comes the powerful King of Day, Rejoicing in the east Thomson.

2. One who, or that which, holds a supreme position or rank; a chief among competitors; as, a railroad king; a money king; the king of the lobby; the king of beasts.

3. A playing card having the picture of a king; as, the king of diamonds.

4. The chief piece in the game of chess.

5. A crowned man in the game of draughts.

6. The title of two historical books in the Old Testament.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To supply with a king; to make a king of; to raise to royalty. [R.] Shak. Those traitorous captains of Israel who kinged themselves by slaying their masters and reigning in their stead. South.