kings
What does the Bible say about kings? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
10 passages · most helpful first
1Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.
1Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.
4A just king guides the land. A man of avarice will destroy it.
4Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns. 5And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor. 6Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul. 7Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
20You should not slander the king, even in your thoughts, and you should not speak evil of a wealthy man, even in your private chamber. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whatever has wings will announce your opinion.
6and who has made us into a kingdom and into priests for God and for his Father. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
11And he said: “This will be the right of the king who will have authority over you: He will take your sons, and place them in his chariots. And he will make them his horsemen and his runners before his four-horse chariots. 12And he will appoint them to be his tribunes and centurions, and the plowmen of his fields, and the harvesters of the grain, and the makers of his weapons and chariots. 13Likewise, your daughters he will take for himself as makers of ointments, and as cooks and bakers. 14Also, he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your best olive groves, and he will give them to his servants. 15Moreover, he will take one tenth of your grain and of the results of your vineyards, so that he may give these to his eunuchs and servants. 16Then, too, he will take your servants, and handmaids, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and he will set them to his work.
4For whatever was written, was written to teach us, so that, through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
25And he said to them: “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them; and those who hold authority over them are called beneficent.
17Honor everyone. Love brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.