Throughout history, kings have ruled nations, led armies, and shaped the course of human events.
Some kings have been wise and just, while others have been corrupt and cruel.
The Bible is full of stories about kings—some who followed God faithfully and others who turned away from Him.
But what does the Bible really say about kings?
Does God approve of earthly rulers, or does He have a different plan for leadership?
Most importantly, what does the Bible reveal about the greatest King of all—Jesus Christ?
Let’s explore what Scripture teaches about kings and their role in God’s kingdom.
God’s Design for Kingship
The idea of kingship was not originally part of God’s plan for Israel.
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He intended to be their King.
He gave them laws, provided for them, and guided them through prophets and judges.
However, as time passed, the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations.
In 1 Samuel 8:5, they demanded, “Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
They wanted a human ruler instead of trusting God’s leadership.
This was a turning point in Israel’s history.
God warned them that having a king would come with challenges—high taxes, forced labor, and the risk of corruption (1 Samuel 8:10-18).
Despite the warning, the people insisted, so God allowed them to have a king.
This shows that while God permits human leadership, He ultimately desires people to depend on Him above all earthly rulers.
Saul: The First King of Israel
The first king of Israel was Saul.
At first, he seemed like the perfect choice.
He was tall, strong, and looked like a leader.
But outward appearance is not the same as godly character.
Although Saul started well, he quickly let pride and disobedience take over.
He ignored God’s commands, and instead of trusting God, he made rash decisions.
Because of this, God rejected him as king.
First Samuel 15:23 states, “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Saul’s story is a reminder that true leadership is not about appearance or power—it is about obedience to God.
David: A King After God’s Heart
After Saul, God chose David to be king.
Unlike Saul, David was not impressive at first glance.
He was a shepherd, the youngest in his family, and overlooked by others.
But God saw his heart.
First Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
David was far from perfect—he made serious mistakes, including adultery and murder.
However, what set him apart was his willingness to repent.
Whenever he failed, he turned back to God in humility.
Because of this, God called him “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22).
David’s reign showed that a godly king is not perfect but is someone who seeks God above all else.
Solomon: A King of Wisdom and Wealth
David’s son Solomon became the next king, and he is best known for his wisdom.
When God asked what he wanted, Solomon did not request riches or power—he asked for wisdom to lead the people well (1 Kings 3:9).
Because of this, God blessed him with both wisdom and wealth.
Solomon built the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, wrote much of the book of Proverbs, and ruled with great success.
However, despite his wisdom, Solomon made costly mistakes.
He married foreign women who led him into idolatry, and his heart turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4).
His story is a warning that even the wisest leader can fall if they stop following God.
Wisdom alone is not enough—faithfulness to God is what truly matters.
The Failure of Many Kings
After Solomon, the kingdom of Israel split into two—Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
Both nations had many kings, but most of them failed to follow God.
Some, like King Ahab, openly worshiped idols and led the people into sin.
Others, like King Manasseh, practiced evil that was so terrible that it brought judgment upon the nation.
But there were also a few faithful kings.
Hezekiah and Josiah were among the rare leaders who led the people back to God, removing idols and restoring true worship.
Second Kings 23:25 says of Josiah, “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength.”
The history of Israel’s kings shows a repeated pattern: When kings followed God, the nation prospered.
When they abandoned God, the nation suffered.
This is a powerful lesson for leaders today—true success comes from obedience to God, not political power or wealth.
Jesus: The Perfect King
The failures of earthly kings point to the need for a greater King—Jesus Christ.
Unlike human rulers, Jesus is perfect, just, and holy.
The Bible prophesied His kingship long before He was born.
Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For to us a child is born… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
When Jesus came to earth, He did not rule with an iron fist like earthly kings.
Instead, He served others, healed the sick, and taught about God’s kingdom.
In John 18:36, He told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Jesus’ kingship is different—it is not about political power but about saving people and bringing them into His eternal kingdom.
The Kingdom of God
Jesus spoke often about the Kingdom of God.
Unlike human kingdoms, which rise and fall, His kingdom is everlasting.
Daniel 2:44 prophesies, “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people.”
When Jesus returns, He will establish His kingdom fully.
Revelation 19:16 describes Him as “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
All earthly rulers will bow before Him.
Every nation, every leader, and every person will recognize His authority.
This is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for kingship.
Lessons from the Kings of the Bible
The Bible’s stories of kings teach us many lessons about leadership and character.
First, a true leader follows God.
David, despite his failures, sought after God’s heart.
This teaches us that godly leadership is about faithfulness, not perfection.
Second, power can be dangerous.
Many kings, like Saul and Solomon, started well but let power and pride lead them away from God.
This is a reminder that success should never replace dependence on God.
Third, Jesus is the only perfect King.
Every human leader has flaws, but Jesus is the King who rules with justice, mercy, and truth.
By following Him, we become part of a kingdom that will never end.
How Should We Respond to Jesus as King?
If Jesus is the true King, what does that mean for us?
First, we must submit to His rule.
Philippians 2:10-11 says, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
This means recognizing Him as the ultimate authority in our lives.
Second, we should live as citizens of His kingdom.
Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Instead of chasing after temporary power or success, we should focus on building God’s kingdom.
Finally, we should share the good news.
Jesus is not just our King—He is the King of all.
Matthew 28:19 commands us to go and make disciples, inviting others into His kingdom.
Final Thoughts
The Bible teaches that earthly kings are temporary, but Jesus is the eternal King.
From the rise and fall of Israel’s rulers to the promise of Christ’s return, Scripture shows that true leadership comes from obedience to God.
Human kings often fail, but Jesus reigns in perfect justice and love.
As followers of Christ, we are called to submit to His rule, live for His kingdom, and share His message with the world.
One day, every knee will bow before Him.
The question is: Will we choose to follow Him now?