Proverbs 16:10-15, Kings Are Not Above God’s Law!
October 25, Proverbs 16:10-15
Romans 13 “By Me kings reign, and princes decree justice.”
Kings Are Not Above God’s Law!
Verses 10-15 have been called A Manual for Kings and Model Monarchs. Perhaps Solomon is referring to himself, and what he knows his duty to be. If this is a general application to all kings, then, these verses set out what kings ought to be, what in fact God demands of them. It is God’s ideal for kings (Deut. 17:18-20). The Bible nowhere teaches that kings are without fault. Rather, they are peculiarly under authority (Ps. 72:1-4). Since, however, most of us have some power that can give happiness or hurt to others, these verses can apply to us ordinary mortals too!
1. He Must Speak Right. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment (10). Divine sentence or divination is always used in a bad sense as something sinful (Deut. 18:10). Balaam is the classic example of one who divined for money (Nu. 23:23). If so, then, though the king speaks by divination, God overrules and justice results (1.9). Most writers say this divine sentence does not refer to something evil. Here it is an exception. It is the king’s ability to penetrate into the truth (1 Kg. 3:28). Thus, “the true king in judgment, like the true prophet in preaching, speaks as the oracle of God” (1 Pet. 4:11), even as “the minister of God” (Rom. 13:4). He utters a divine sentence, which suggests the finality with which he speaks. Here is both precept and promise. He must say what he means, but he must be true to God’s eternal truth, not just man’s changing opinions. Therefore, let kings be just, and rule in the fear of God (2 Sam. 23:3-4).
2. He Must Judge Right. A just weight and balance are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are his work (11). God hates crooked scales, and so must the king (Mic. 6:11). Scales were often regularised by royal decree (Deut. 25:13-15). A true king must, therefore, uphold fair dealing in the marketplace for all. Both seller and buyer must do Right. All double-dealing, as well as double-speaking (above), must be exposed and condemned. Such a king enforces justice by his own example and judgments (Ps. 99:4). Our scales may differ, but the same greed that operated then still operates today. Divers weights or two sets of books, God hates. Again, we are reminded that, by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil (v.6). There is a link between shop and salvation (1 Thes. 4:6)!
3. He Must Act Right. All wickedness is wrong (12), and godly kings must loathe it in all its forms. They must, however, make a positive pursuit of righteousness. It is an abomination to them to do otherwise. Those who truly hate sin, will love the good and right. This is the foundation of thrones, by a divine decree. Without righteousness there is no stability for the king or his throne. Let us rejoice that this is the foundation of the Heavenly Throne, and that the Judge of all the earth will not fail to do right (Ps. 45:6-7).
Thought: “No conduct of any man may be neutral” (John Hus).
Prayer: For all who rule over us that they may be Model Monarchs.