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The King

Illustration of The King

The people of Israel once demanded a king to rule over them as other nations did, yet this desire pointed toward God's sovereign plan for an eternal monarch from David's line. Through the prophets, the promise emerges of a child born to shoulder the government and establish peace without end. The wise men's search for the one born king of the Jews signals the dawn of that reign in Bethlehem, culminating in the revelation of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords who subdues all powers.

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Key Passages

Israel Demands a King

1 Samuel 8:4-9

Israel's demand for a human king reveals both their rejection of God's direct rule and God's willingness to work through flawed human institutions.

Israel rejects God as their king and demands a human ruler like the other nations.

T4hen all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

A Child Born to Rule

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah prophesies a child who will reign on David's throne forever - a king whose government and peace will have no end, fulfilled in Christ.

Isaiah prophesies a coming king whose government and peace will have no end, ruling on David's throne.

F6or unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Where Is He Born King of the Jews

Matthew 2:1-6

The Magi's question at Jesus' birth connects Him to Israel's royal line - the true King arrives not in a palace but in a manger.

The Magi seek the newborn king, and Scripture points to Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's ruler.

N1ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Revelation 19:11-16

Revelation reveals Christ's ultimate title - supreme over all earthly and heavenly authority, the King whose reign encompasses all other kingdoms.

Christ returns as the ultimate King, wearing many crowns and ruling with absolute authority.

A11nd I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Did You Know?

1

David was the prototype. Solomon was the peak. Every subsequent king was measured against them. None measured up. The longing for a true and righteous King grew with every disappointment.

2

When the wise men asked for the one born King of the Jews, they were echoing a promise that had never been fully realized. Herod was terrified because he knew the story too.

3

Jesus did not come to restore the old monarchy. He came to establish a kingdom that cannot be shaken, where the King is also the Lamb who was slain.