51 Bible Verses about Kingship, Human

Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not to be feared for good works but for evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praised of the same.read more.
For he is the minister of God, for thy wealth. But and if thou do evil, then fear: for he beareth not a sword for nought; but is the minister of God, to take vengeance on them that do evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not for fear of vengeance only: but also because of conscience. And even for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose. Give to every man therefore his duty: Tribute to whom tribute belongeth: Custom to whom custom is due: fear to whom fear belongeth: Honour to whom honour pertaineth.

I exhort therefore that above all things, prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be had for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head;

The king answered Daniel, and said, "Yea, of a truth your God is a God above all gods, and LORD above all kings, and an opener of secrets: seeing thou canst discover this mystery."

Peter and the other apostles answered, and said, "We ought more to obey God than men.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his father and mother, because they saw he was a proper child: neither feared they the king's commandment.

Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, "Reign over us, both thou, thy son and thy son's son, for thou hast delivered us out of the hands of the Midianites." And Gideon said unto them, "I will not reign over you, neither shall my children reign over you, but the LORD shall reign over you."

It chanced in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that a certain Levite dwelling on the side of mount Ephraim, took to wife a concubine out of Bethlehem Judah:

In those days there was no king in Israel: but every man did what seemed him right.

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life, and went about year by year, to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places, and came again to Ramah: for there was his house, and there he judged Israel, and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

And for all that, when you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, 'Not so, a king shall reign over us' - when yet the LORD your God was your king.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered them together and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, "Behold, thou art old and thy sons follow not thy ways. Now, therefore, make us a king to judge us, as all other nations have." But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.read more.
And the LORD said unto Samuel, "Hear the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee. For they have not cast thee away, but me: that I should not reign over them. And as they have ever done - since I brought them out of Egypt unto this day, and have forsaken me and served other gods - even so do they unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet, testify unto them and show them the duty of the king that shall reign over them."

When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee and enjoyest it and dwellest therein: If thou shalt say, 'I will set a king over me, like unto all the nations that are about me': Then thou shalt make him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose. One of thy brethren must thou make king over thee, and mayest not set a stranger over thee which is not of thy brethren. But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.'read more.
Also he shall not have too many wives, lest his heart turn away, neither shall he gather him silver and gold too much. And when he is sitten upon the seat of his kingdom, he shall write him out this second law in a book; taking a copy of the priests' the Levites'. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all days of his life that he may learn to fear the LORD his God for to keep all the words of this law and these ordinances for to do them: that his heart arise not above his brethren and that he turn not from the commandment: either to the righthand or to the left: that both he and his children may prolong their days in his kingdom in Israel.

Nevertheless, the people would not hear the voice of Samuel, but did say, "Nay, not so: But there shall be a king over us, and we will be like all other nations. And our king shall judge us, and go out before us and fight our battles." And Samuel heard all the words of the people and rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.read more.
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Hearken unto their voice and make them a king." Then said Samuel unto the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

And then Samuel took a box of oil and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, "The LORD hath anointed thee to be a captain over his inheritance.

Then said Samuel unto the people, "Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there." And the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king there, before the LORD in Gilgal. And there they offered peace offerings before the LORD. And there Saul and all the people rejoiced exceedingly.

And for all that, when you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, 'Not so, a king shall reign over us' - when yet the LORD your God was your king. Now therefore behold the king, whom ye have chosen and whom ye have desired. See, the LORD hath given you a king! Oh that ye would fear the LORD and serve him and hear his voice and not disobey the mouth of the LORD: and that both ye and the king that reigneth over you would follow the LORD your God.read more.
For if ye shall not hearken unto the voice of the LORD, but shall disobey the LORD's mouth: then shall the hand of the LORD be upon you and on your fathers.

Where are thy kings now, that shouldest help thee in all thy cities? Yea and thy judges, of whom thou sayest, "Give me a king and princes?" Well, I gave thee a king in my wrath, and in my displeasure will I take him from thee again.

Now David the son of Jesse was king over all Israel. And the space he reigned over Israel was forty years: seven years in Hebron and thirty three years in Jerusalem. And he died in a good age: old, rich and glorious. And Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

And so David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. And the days which David reigned upon Israel were forty years: seven years in Hebron, and thirty and three years in Jerusalem. And Solomon sat upon the seat of David his father and his kingdom was established mightily.

He chose David also his servant, and took him away from the sheepfolds. As he was following the ewes great with young, he took him, that he might feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them with a faithful and true heart, and ruled them with all the diligence of his power.

And Samuel took the horn with the ointment and anointed him in the presence of his brethren. And the spirit of the LORD came upon David, from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

And so all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

And when all the elders of Israel were come to the king to Hebron, David made a covenant with them there before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Samuel.

After that, David beat the Philistines and subdued them, and took the bridle of bondage out of their hands. And he beat the Moabites and measured them with a line, making them lie along the earth; so that he brought two parts of them to death, and let one part live. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and paid tribute. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to make the end of his coasts at the river Euphrates.read more.
And David took a thousand and seven hundred horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen, and destroyed all his chariots - reserving one hundred of them. Then came the Syrians of Damascus to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah. And David slew of them two and twenty thousand men and put soldiers in Syria, Damascus. And the Syrians became servants to David paying tribute. And thus the LORD saved David in all that he went to. And David took the shields of gold that were upon the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And thereto out of Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, he brought exceeding great abundance of brass. When Toi, king of Hamath, had heard how David had discomforted all the host of Hadadezer, he sent Joram his son unto king David to salute him with peace and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and beaten him - for Toi kept war with Hadadezer - which son brought vessels of silver, gold and of brass with him. And them also King David did dedicate unto the LORD with the silver and gold that he consecrated of all nations which he subdued: of the Syrians, the Moabites, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. And David made him a name after he returned from the slaughter of the Syrians in the valley of salt where he slew eighteen thousand men. And he put keepers in Edom, even throughout all Edom put he soldiers; and all Edom became his servants. And the LORD kept David whatsoever he took in hand.

And after that, David beat the Philistines and subdued them, and took Gath and the towns that belonged thereto, out of the hands of the Philistines. And he beat the Moabites, and the Moabites became David's servants and paid him tribute. And David beat Hadadezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to bring his dominion unto the river Euphrates.read more.
And David took from him a thousand chariots and seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand footmen, and brake all the chariots, save that he reserved of them a hundred. Then came the Syrians of Damascus to help Hadadezer king of Zobah. And David slew of the Syrians twenty two thousand, and put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: And the Syrians became David's servants and brought him tribute. For the LORD helped David in all that he went to. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, brought David exceeding much brass. Wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea and the pillars and the vessels of brass. And when Thou king of Hamath, heard how David had beat all the host of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to salute him and to bless him, because he had fought with Hadadezer and beaten him - for Thou had war with Hadadezer - and sent all manner of Jewels of gold, silver and brass with him. And king David dedicated them also unto the LORD with the silver and gold that he brought from all nations, from the Edomites, from the Moabites, from the children of Ammon, from the Philistines, from the Amalekites. And Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the salt valley eighteen thousand, and put Soldiers in Edom, and all Edom became David's servants: for the LORD kept David in all that he took in hand.

And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep mine ordinances and commandments as David thy father did walk, I will lengthen thy days also."

And Solomon wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD and continued not after the LORD as did David his father.

And he did that pleased the LORD, yet not like David his father: but did in all things as Joash his father did.

Great prosperity giveth he unto his king, and showeth loving-kindness unto David his anointed, and unto his seed for evermore. {TYNDALE: For thy great and manifold saving of thy king, and showing mercy unto thine anointed, even to David, and his seed forever.}

Now therefore so say unto my servant David, thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts, 'I took thee out of a shepherd's cote from following sheep to be a ruler over my people Israel. And I was with thee in all that thou wentest to, and have destroyed all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men of the world. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant it and they shall continue in one place and shall move no more, neither shall wicked people trouble them any more as they did at the beginning,read more.
and since the time I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will give thee rest from all thine enemies. And the LORD telleth thee that he will build thee a household. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou laid to rest with thy fathers, then I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy body, and will establish his kingdom. And he shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the seat of his kingdom forever: I will be his father and he shall be my son; insomuch that if he sin, I will but rebuke him with such a rod as men be rebuked with and with such plagues as the children of men be plagued with. But my mercy will I not take away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put down before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall endure without end after thee, and thy seat shall be established forever.'"

Now therefore thus say unto my servant David, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: I took thee out of the pasture from after sheep, that thou shouldest be captain over my people Israel. And I have been with thee in all thou tookest in hand, and have weeded out all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a name like the name of the greatest men of the earth. And I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will make it fast, and they shall dwell under it and shall move no more. Neither shall the children of wickedness vex them any more as at the beginning,read more.
and since the time I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and will bring under all thine enemies - for I told thee that the LORD would build thee a house. But when thy days be expired, that thou must go after thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons and will settle his kingdom. He shall build me a house, and I will establish his seat forever. I will be his father and he shall be my son, and I will not put my mercy away from him as I did from him that was before thee. But I will set him in mine house and in my kingdom forever, and his seat shall be sure forever.'"

And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in pureness of heart and plainness, to do all that I have commanded thee, and shalt keep mine ordinances and customs: then I will establish the seat of thy kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other upon the seat of Israel.'

And if thou shalt walk before me as David thy father walked, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe mine ordinances and my laws: then I will establish the seat of thy kingdom, according to the covenant I made with David thy father, saying: thou shalt have ever one or other that shall rule in Israel.

The LORD hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it, "Of the fruit of the body shall I set upon thy seat. If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall learn them; their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore."

Behold, the days will come saith the LORD, that I will stir up unto David a righteous branch, and he shall reign a king, and shall be wise, and shall do equity and justice in the earth.

For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given. Upon his shoulders shall the kingdom lie, and he shall be called with his own name, "Wonderful, the giver of counsel, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace." He shall make no end to increase the kingdom and peace, and shall sit upon the seat of David and in his kingdom, to set up the same: to establish it with equity and righteousness, from thenceforth for evermore. This shall the jealousy of the LORD of hosts bring to pass.

There shall come a rod out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall spring out of his root. And on him shall light the spirit of the LORD: the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of strength, the spirit of knowledge and of reverence, and it shall make him savour of the fear of the LORD And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes: neither shall rebuke after the hearing of his ears.read more.
But he shall judge the causes of the poor with righteousness, and shall rebuke with equity for the humble of the earth. And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

And in mercy shall the throne be prepared, and he shall sit upon it in the truth, in the tabernacle of David: judging, and seeking judgment, and making haste unto righteousness.

"Behold, the time cometh, sayeth the LORD, that I will raise up the righteous Branch of David, which shall bear rule, and discuss matters with wisdom, and shall set up equity and righteousness again in the earth. In his time shall Judah be saved and Israel shall dwell without fear. And this is the name that they shall call him: even, 'The LORD our righteous maker.'

For in that day, sayeth the LORD, I will take his yoke from off thy neck, and break thy bonds. They shall no more serve strange gods under him, but they shall do service unto God their LORD, and to David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

I will raise up to them one only shepherd: even my servant David. He shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David shall be their prince: Even I the LORD have spoken it.

David my servant shall be their king, and they all shall have one shepherd only. They shall walk in my laws, and my commandments shall they both keep and fulfill. They shall dwell in the land that I gave unto Jacob my servant, whereas your fathers also have dwelt. Yea even in the same land shall they, their children, and their children's children dwell for evermore: and my servant David shall be their everlasting prince.

"At that time will I build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and hedge up his gaps. And look: what is broken, I shall repair it. Yea, I shall build it again, as it was a fore time,

And thou Bethlehem Ephrata, art little among the thousands of Judah: Out of thee shall come one, unto me, which shall be the governour in Israel: whose outgoing hath been from the beginning, and from everlasting. In the meanwhile he plagueth them for a season, until the time that she which shall bear have born: then shall the remnant of his brethren be converted unto the children of Israel. He shall stand fast, and give food in the strength of the LORD, and in the victory of the name of the LORD his God: and when they be converted, he shall be magnified unto the farthest parts of the world.read more.
Then shall there be peace, so that the Assyrian may come into our land, and tread in our houses. We shall bring up seven shepherds and eight princes upon them:

Blessed be the kingdom that cometh in the name of him that is Lord of our father David. Hosanna in the highest."

"Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." As for me, I will preach the law, whereof the LORD hath said unto me, "Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. Desire of me, and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the world for thy possession.read more.
Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

{To the Chanter, upon Shoshannim, an instruction of the children of Korah; a song of love} My heart is inditing of a good matter; I speak the things which I have made unto the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

{Of Solomon} Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

{A Psalm of David} The LORD said unto my LORD, "Sit thou on my righthand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."

The LORD hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it, "Of the fruit of the body shall I set upon thy seat.