over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.) That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace. Esther iii, 1, 10, 11. After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Esther vi, 4-6. And the king said, Who is in the court? (Now Haman was come into the out name, and seal it with the king's Acts xil, 20. And Herod was Eccles. ii, 9. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. Jer. xxxviii, 4, 5. Therefore the princes said unto the king, We made Daniel a great man, and Dan. ii, 48, 49. Then the king made him ruler over the whole gave him many great gifts, and province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise ward court of the king's house, to men of Babylon. Then Daniel respeak unto the king to hangquested of the king, and he set Mordecal on the gallows that he Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedhad prepared for him.) And the nego, over the affairs of the proking's servants said unto him, vince of Babylon: but Daniel sat Behold, Haman standeth in the in the gate of the king. court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? (Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?) Esther viii, 1-3, 5-8. On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, anto Esther the queen: and Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and be sought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's Dan. v, 18, 19. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And, for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive, and whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down. Ps. xxxili, 15, 16. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. Ps. cxlvi, 3. Put not your trust in whom there is no help. in princes, nor in the son of man, Ps. lxxii, 8, 9. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. Ps. lxxv, 6. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. the wicked of the land, that I may Ps. ci, 8. I will early destroy all cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. Ps. cv, 20-22. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. Не made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance; Το bind his princes at his pleasure, and teachhis senators wisdom. Daniel vi, 1-3, 15. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes,which trust in the LORD than to put conPs. cxviii, 8, 9. It is better to should be over the whole king-fidence in man: It is better to dom; And over these three trust in the LORD than to put conpresidents, of whom Daniel was first; that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then presidents and princes, because this Danielwas preferred above the an excellent spirit was in him; and which the king establisheth may Dan. xi, 3, 5, 16. And a mighty king of the south shall be strong, fidence in princes. Prov. xiv, 35. The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his shame. wrath is against him that causeth Prov. xvi, 14.15. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. Prov. xix, 6. Many will entreat the favour of the prince; and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. Prov. xxv, 2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Eccles. viii, 4. Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Eccles. x, 5-7. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler; Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low 2 Kings xv, 3. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. JOTHAM. Job xxxvi, 7. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish 2 Kings xv, 34. And he did that them for ever, and they are which was right in the sight of exalted. the LORD: he did according to all Prov. xvi, 12, 13. It is an abom-that his father Uzziah had done. ination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. Prov. xx, 8. 26-28. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upholden by mercy. Prov. xxv, 5. Take away the wicke i from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Prov. xxviii, 12. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. Prov. xxix, 2, 14. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. EXAMPLES. DAVID. 2 Sam. viil, 15. And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. ASA. 1 Kings xv, 11. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. JEHOSHAPHAT. 1 Kings xxii, 43. And he walked in all the ways of Asa his HEZEKIAH. 2 Kings xviii, 3, 5, 6. And he did that which was riglit in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. 1 Kings xxii. 52. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 2 Kings vili, 27. And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab; for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab. JEHU. 2 Kings x, 31. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam which made Israel to sin. JEHOAHAZ. 1 Kings xiii, 2. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. JEHOASH. 2 Kings xiii, 11. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, 2 Kings iii, 2, 3. And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like his father, and like his mother; for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made, Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. 2 Kings viii, 18. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. HOSHEA. 2 Kings xvii, 2. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Isruel that were before him. Zeph. 1, 8. And it shall come to Luke vii, 25. But what went ye Rev. xviii, 9. And the kings of PRIDE. Deut. xvii, 20. That his heart be and that he turn not aside from not lifted up above his brethren, the commandment, to the right hand or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his 366 kingdom, he, and his children in the midst of Israel. 2 Chron. xxxiii, 23. And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. that which was evil in the sight of 2 Chron. xxxvi, 12. And he did the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet, speaking from the mouth of the LORD. Isa. x, S. For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? the word of the LORD, ye scornful Isa. xxviii, 14. Wherefore hear men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. FLATTERY AND FALSEHOOD. Prov. xvii, 7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool; much less do lying lips a prince. Prov. xxix, 12. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. policy also he shall cause craft to Dan. viii, 25. And through his prosper in his hand; and he shall by peace shall destroy many: be magnify himself in his heart, and shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. Dan. xi, 21, 27. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. Hos. vii, 3. They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. AVARICE. Isa. i, 23. Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards. Hos. iv, 18. Their drink is sour, they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love. Give ye. Amos iii, 9, 10. Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. evil with both hands earnestly, Micah vii, 3. That they may do the prince asketh, and the judge 'asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous] them; and they break their bones, TYRANNY. Zeph. ii, 3. Her princes within 1 Kings xii, 12-14. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Relio-her are roaring lions; her judges boam the third day, as the king are evening wolves; they gnaw had appointed, saying, Come to not the bones till the morrow. me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel IDOLATRY. Isa. ix, 16. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are de stroyed. Isa. xix, 11, 13. Surely the princes of Zoan are tools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient 1 Kings xxii, 53. For he [Ahaz-kings? The princes of Zoan are him, and provoked to anger the duced Egypt, even they that are iah] served Baal, and worshipped become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seLORD God of Israel, according to the stay of the tribes thereof. all that his father had done. them after the counsel of the 2 Kings viii, 12,13. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. The LORD hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. 2 Kings xxi, 16. Moreover, Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; Manasseh did. And he walked in all the ways that his father walked Dan. x1, 36. And the king shall do according to his will; and he SEVERE THREATENING 2 Kings iii, 14. And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. 2 Chron. xxviii, 2. For he [Ahaz] walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten 1 Sam. xii, 25. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be conimages for Baalim. 2 Chron. xxxiii, 2, 22. But [Man-sumed, both ye and your king. asseh] did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. But he [Amon] did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved 2 Chron. xxi, 4. Now, when Je-images which Manasseh his father horam was risen up to the king had made, and served them. dom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. Neh. v, 4. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Dan. vii. 23. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. Hos. v, 10, 11. The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Micah iii, 1-3. And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good and love the evil, who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off kened not; and Manasseh seduced made Judah and the inhabitants Ps. xii, 8. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. Prov. xxviii, 15, 16, 28. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. Eccles. iv, 13, 14. Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is boru in his kingdom becometh poor. P8. lxxvi, 12. He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth. Ps. cxlix,6-9. Let the high praises two-edged sword in their hand, of God be in their mouth, and a To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings fetters of iron; To execute upon with chains, and their nobles with them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. Isa. x, 1-4. Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Isa. xxiv, 21, 22. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Isa. xxx, 33. For Tophet is or is prepared: he hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. Jer. xxii, 6, 18, 24-27. For thus saith the LORD unto the king's house of Judah, Thou art Gilead unto me, and the bead of Lebanon: yet surely I will make and will slay all the princes THEIR PUNISHMENTS. 2 Kings ix, 14-16, 27. So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against V. DUTIES OF RULERS. Israel said, the Rock of Israel 2 Sam. xxiii, 3. The God of spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the 1 Kings xii, 7. And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to thein, then they will be thy servants for ever. Ps. ii, 10. Be wise now therefore, ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. dained of old; yea, for the king it Joram: (now Joram had kept fear of God. thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited. Therefore thus saith the LORD concern ing Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory! As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another courtry, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return. Jer. xlix, 38. And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. Ezek. vii, 27. The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and accordto their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am come 2 Chron. xxii, 7-9. And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for, when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judg ment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Aha ziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, Ps. lxxii, 4, 12-14. He sball judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces liver the needy when he crieth; the oppressor. For he shall dethe poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Jer. xxi, 11, 12. And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD; O house of David, thus in the morning, and deliver hin saith the LORD, Execute judgment that is spoiled out of the hand of like fire, and burn that none can the oppressor, lest my fury go out quench it, because of the evil of your doings. Jer. xxii, 1-5. Thus saith the the king of Judah, and speak there LORD, Go down to the house of this word, And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sitt st upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates; Thus saith the LORD, Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deJob xii, 19-22. He leadeth liver the spoiled out of the hand princes away spoiled, and over- of the oppressor: and do no wrong, throweth the mighty. He removeth do no violence to the stranger, away the speech of the trusty, and the fatherless, nor the widow, Ezek. xxvii, 35. All the inhabi- taketh away the understanding neither shed innocent blood in tants of the isles shall be astonish-of the aged. He poureth contempt this place. For if ye do this thing ed at thee, and their kings shall upon princes, and weakeneth the indeed, then shall there enter in be sore afraid, they shall be strength of the mighty. He dis- by the gates of this house kings troubled in their countenance. covereth deep things out of dark-sitting upon the throne of David, ness, and bringeth out to light the riding in chariots and on horses, Daniel vii, 26. But the judg-shadow of death. ment shall sit, and they shall take he, and his servants, and his people. But if ye will not hear these away his dominion, to consume words, I swear by myself, saith and to destroy it unto the end. the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation. the LORD. Hosea x, 15. So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. Amos ii, 3. And I will cut off the judge from the midst thereof, Ps. cvii, 40. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Lam. v, 12. Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured. Hosea x, 7. As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water. GOD'S CARE OVER KINGS. 1 Sam. x, 26. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. |