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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Monarchy, Israelitish
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(see Kale, De potestate regia ingente Hebr. Havn. 1749). According to the sense of the Mosaic constitution, the Hebrews were erected into a kind of republic under, the immediate dominion of Jehovah, forming a strict theocracy (q.v.); the law of the kingdom (Deu_17:14-20) being partly expounded by the Pentateuch itself, which alludes to it as a future institution, and partly organized on a permanent basis by Solomon, largely independent of the Mosaic law (see Staudlein in Bertholdt's Theol. Journ. 3:259, 361 sq.; Hengstenberg, Pentat. 2:246 sq.). It was inaugurated by Samuel in compliance with a general request of the people, which had grown out of the bitter experience of many years, rendering it an inevitable necessity sooner or later (Ewald, Israel. Gesch. 2:140 sq.), as the order of judges was but a temporary and precarious safeguard against total anarchy. The king, however, was only empowered to administer the theocratic government as a viceroy of Jehovah, the heavenly sovereign (Psa_2:2), and was bound to this law as the highest authority, so as to exclude the idea of an independent and absolute monarch. In particular cases the Urim and Thummimn, or a prophet, or some other medium of divine communication (1Sa_28:6; 1Sa_30:7 sq.; 2Sa_2:1; 1Ki_22:7 sq.; comp. Joh_11:51), might be referred to in order to direct and confirm the theocratic regent as to the will of Jehovah, so that in this way the monarchical administration still retained the character of a divine government, and the kings were-reminded of their dependency (see Kalkar, Over de Israel. Godesregering, in his Verhandling van het Haagsche Genootschap, etc., 2:3 sq.). But in practice the Israelitish kings assumed the right of declaring war and concluding peace (1Sa_11:5 sq.), as well as of exercising judicial functions in the highest cases (2Sa_15:2; 1Ki_3:16 sq.; comp. Jer_21:12), and of pronouncing amnesty (2 Samuel 14). The king was also the patron of the religious cults (1Ki_8:2; 1Ki_12:4 sq.; 1Ki_18:4 sq.), and in war he was likewise the ideal leader of his troops (1Sa_8:20). Despotism was held in check sometimes by a sort of coronation-oath a Magna Charta, as it were (1Sa_10:25; 2Sa_5:3; 1Ki_12:4 sq.; 2Ki_11:17; comp. Josephus, War, 2:1, 2) — and sometimes by a mass meeting of the tribes (1Ch_4:41 sq.; the heads of families formed a kind of popular representatives, 1Ch_29:1 sq.; comp. 1Ch_13:2);, and there even occurs an example of the direct intervention of the people (1Sa_14:45 sq.); but especially the prophets, who from the time of Samuel were set to guard the theocracy, and constituted a species of continually selfrenewing order, often made the most unshrinking opposition to the prince, either by introducing themselves officially into the royal cabinet (Nathan, Isaiah), or by demanding a special audience (1Ki_20:22 sq., 1Ki_20:38; 2Ki_1:15, etc.), and even went so far as open resistance, by their severe invectives at least, to unlawful measures of government (compare 1Sa_22:17 sq.). SEE PROPHET.
The regular succession was confined to the house of David. Usually the first-born son (even when a minor [2Ki_11:21] there is found no provision for a guardian or regent [yet see the Sept. at 1Ki_12:24]; the queen-dowager, however, seems to have a position as counsellor in such cases [Jer_13:18; comp. 2Ki_24:12]) appears to have as a matter of course assumed the reins of government, but occasionally the father is stated to have designated a particular son to the throne (1Ki_1:17; 1Ki_1:20; 2Ch_11:22); sometimes the people themselves interfered (2Ki_21:24; 2Ki_23:30), and even foreign powers at length imposed rulers as their own vassals upon the nation: (2Ki_23:34; 2Ki_24:17). In the kingdom of Israel the first king was inducted into office by a prophet (1Ki_11:31 sq.), and the succession was thenceforth hereditary (descending to the son, or, when the direct line failed, to the brother, 2Ki_3:1); but the brief dynasties followed each other with many interruptions through extinction, conspiracy, or deposition (1Ki_16:9; 1Ki_16:16; 1Ki_16:21), and several interregna occurred. An association in the throne, or rather viceroyship, of the successor in consequence of the disability of the ruling monarch is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 27:21; and numerous other instances are rendered probable by the discrepancies in the regnal years. SEE CHRONOLOGY.
In-the election of a king, ancient nations had great regard to personal size (1Sa_10:23) and beauty (1Sa_16:12; Eze_28:12; comp. Psa_40:3; Homer, II. 3:166 sq.; Herod. 3:20; Strabo, 15:699; 17:822; Athen. 12:566; Barhebr. Chronicles page 384; see also Dougtsei Analect. 1:131); and Hebrew kings were required to be native citizens (Deu_17:15). Those who instituted a new dynasty sought to strengthen their power by the extinction of the previous reigning family (1Ki_16:11; 2Ki_10:11; 2Ki_10:17; 2Ki_11:1; comp. Josephus. Ant. 15:7, 10), as is customary still in the East (Tavernier, Voyage, 1:253). The first kings, Saul (1Sa_9:16; 1Sa_10:1; 1Sa_15:1; 1Sa_15:17) and David (1Sa_16:12 sq.; 2Sa_2:4; 2Sa_5:3; 2Sa_12:7), also Solomon (1Ki_1:34; 1Ki_1:39; 1Ki_5:1 so likewise Absalom unlawfully, 2Sa_19:11), were regularly anointed by a prophet or the high- priest; but in later times this was done only in the case of Josiah, whom the priesthood restored to the throne in place of the usurping Athaliah (2Ki_11:12), and Jehoahaz his son, whom the people raised to the throne (2Ki_23:30), besides Jehu of the kingdom of Israel, who established a new dynasty (2Ki_9:1 sq.); the principle apparently being in these cases to supply the lack of the hereditary right. The Anointed of Jehovah ( îְùַׁéçִ éְäåָֹä ), or simply the Anointed, accordingly appears (in the sacred style) as the official title of the regular sovereign (1Sa_2:10; 1Sa_2:35; 1Sa_16:6; 1Sa_24:6; 1Sa_26:16; 1Sa_26:23; 2Sa_19:22; 2Sa_22:51; Psa_2:2, Lam_4:20, etc.). No other ceremony of investiture seems to have been enjoined; although we occasionally find a popular assembly (1Sa_10:24; 1 Kings , 25,. 39; 2Ki_9:13; 2Ki_11:13; 2Ch_23:11; comp.. Josephus, War, 1:33, 9), a coronation (2Ki_11:12), music (1Ki_1:40), and thank-offerings (1Ki_1:24). The royal beast of burden is also mentioned (1Ki_1:38). See Fort. Scacchi Dissert. de inaugurat. regum Israel. in Ugolini: Thesaur. volume 32. Regal costumes, consisting of costly and elaborate garments, were also used (at least armlets, 2Sa_1:19; 1Ma_10:20; 1Ma_10:62; 1Ma_11:5; 1Ma_14:43), in accompaniment with the simple diadem ( ðֵæֶø , 2Sa_1:10; 2Ki_11:12), jewelled crown ( òֲèָøָä , 2Sa_12:30; Son_2:11; comp. Eze_21:26; 1Ma_10:20), the sceptre ( ùֵׁáֶè ), and the throne ( ëַּñֵּà ). See each word. Later occurs the purple mantle (1Ma_6:15; 1Ma_10:20; 1Ma_10:62; 1Ma_14:43; comp. Act_12:21).
The income of the Israelitish kings, with which they defrayed the expenses of their court and administration, was derived from voluntary but (as still in the East; see Kimpfer, Amnon. page 95) valuable presents from their subjects in Palestine and the dependencies (1Sa_10:27; 1Sa_16:20; 2Sa_8:2; 2Sa_8:11; 1Ki_10:25; comp. Herod. 3:87, 97; Elian, V.H. 1:31; Heeren, Ideen, I, 1:225 sq., 483), from public domains and royal possessions, consisting of lands, vineyards, and olive-yards (1Sa_8:14; 1Ch_27:26 sq.; 2Ch_26:10; comp. Josephus, Ant. 6:13, 10; 14:10, 6), which sometimes fell to the crown by confiscation of private property (1Ki_21:16 sq.; comp. Eze_46:18; see Kampfer, ut sup. page 96), from monopolies (1Ki_10:11 sq., 1Ki_10:26 sq.; Amo_7:1), from public services (1Ki_5:13; 1Ki_9:21; comp. 1Sa_8:13), and from regular taxes in kind (comp. 1Sa_8:15; 1Sa_17:25), which were farmed by head collectors (Isa_16:1; Ecc_2:8). At times there is mention of an extraordinary levy upon personal property (2Ki_23:35); and the king also claimed a share of the booty obtained in war (2Sa_8:11 sq.). SEE ASSESSMENT.
Hence came the at times so considerable royal treasures (1Ki_10:21; 1Ki_14:26; 2Ki_14:14), the rich wardrobes (2Ki_10:22), the palaces and parks (1Ki_7:9; 1Ki_19:2; 2Ki_21:18; 2Ki_25:4; Jer_39:4; Jer_52:7; Son_8:11), the sumptuously served table (1Ki_4:22 sq.; comp. Dan_5:1 sq.; Est_1:3 sq.), to which it was esteemed a great distinction to be invited as a regular guest (2Sa_9:7; see Morier, Second Journey, page 148; Rosenmuller, Morgenl. 3:163; comp. 2Ki_25:29; Dan_1:5; Herod. 3:132; Heeren, Ideen, I, 1:217). An especial mark of royal luxury was a well-stocked harem (2Sa_5:13; 1Ki_11:1 sq.; 1Ki_20:3; comp. Quint. Curt. 3:3, 24; Athen. 12:514; Plutarch, Artax. c. 43), which was guarded by eunuchs, and descended to the succeeding king (2Sa_12:8; comp. Herod. 3:68; the regulation in Deu_17:17 was interpreted as a limit of eighteen wives, Schickard, Jus. reg. page 175). SEE HAREM.
To aspire to a connection with this was equivalent to being a pretender to the throne (2Sa_16:22; 1Ki_2:21 sq.; comp. Movers, Phonic. 1:491). SEE ABSALOM. Among the holidays, the day of the king's birth or ascension was prominent (Hos_7:5; Mat_14:6; comp. Gen_40:20; Herod. 1:133; 9:109; Josephus, A nt. 7:3, 1). Music at court and table is early mentioned (2Sa_19:35; Ecc_2:8). Kings expressed their favor by rich presents, especially of arms and apparel, SEE GIFT; and on royal festive days malefactors were pardoned or their punishment was postponed (1Sa_11:13; 2Sa_19:22 sq.; comp. Gen_40:20; see Philo, 2:529). It was, however, a still more distinguished honor when the king invited any one to sit at his right hand (1Ki_2:19; comp. Sueton. Nero, 13; Wetstein, N.T. 1:456). The reverence paid to the monarch was very great (Pro_24:21); persons fell prostrate in his presence, so as to touch the forehead to the earth (1Sa_24:9; 1Sa_25:23; 2Sa_9:6; 2Sa_19:18; even females of royal rank did the same, 1Ki_1:16), dismounted in the street on meeting him (1Sa_25:23), and greeted him with salvos in the streets and at audiences (Dan_2:4; Dan_3:9; comp. Josephus, War, 2:1, 1; see Rosenmuller, Morgenl. 4:350). A high notion was entertained of his sagacity (2Sa_14:17; 2Sa_19:27; comp. Rosenmuller, Morgenl. 3:142 sq.). His entrance into a city was signalized by pomp (2Ki_9:13; 1Sa_18:6 sq.; comp. Josephus, Ant. 11:2, 1). Of the rank of the early Hebrew kings of course nothing can be particularly said; but in later times those created by the Romans held the honor of the senatorial order (comp. Josephus, Ant. 14:10,6). Whether in their edicts the Israelitish monarchs, like the Persian (Ezr_4:18; Ezr_7:24), Syrian (1Ma_10:19; 1Ma_11:31; 1Ma_15:19), and Egyptian (3Ma_4:14; 3Ma_7:2), issued their edicts in the plural number (see Fromann, Opusc. 1:202 sq.), is uncertain (comp. Theodoret, Quaest. in Genes. 19). Any infringement of the regal majesty was followed by the death penalty (1Ki_21:10), or if perpetrated by a member of the royal family, it incurred an ignominious expulsion from court (2Sa_14:24-25).
In general Hebrew kings were quite as popular as other Oriental monarchs (Est_1:14; Est_4:11; Herod 1:99; 3:140; Diod. Sic. 2:21; 3:47; Agatharch. ed. Hudson, 1:63; Strabo, 17:821; Harmer, 2:95; Ludecke, Beschr. d. turk. Reichs, page 276), often exhibited themselves in the midst of their subjects (2Sa_19:8; 1Ki_20:39; 1Ki_22:10; 2Ki_6:26; 2Ki_7:17; Jer_38:7), and were affable with them (1Ki_3:15; 2Ki_6:26 sq.; 2Ki_8:3 sq., etc.), even to the extent of personal intercourse (1Ki_21:2 sq.; for later indications, see the Mishna, Sanhedr. 2:2 sq.). After their death the kings were laid in royal sepulchres (those of Judah in Jerusalem) (1Ki_2:10; 1Ki_11:43; 1Ki_14:31, etc.), but the wicked ones were sometimes denied this honor (2Ch_28:27 [? 26:23]), which, nevertheless, does not argue the adoption of a death-tribunal on the Israelitish monarchs (Rosenmuller, Morgenl. 3:269 sq.), after the Egyptian custom (Diod. Sic. 1:22). The consorts of deceased kings remained in high honor, and even held the title of queen-mother ( âְּáַéøָä ,' mistress, 1Ki_15:13; 2Ki_10:13; Jer_13:18; Jer_29:2). The title “king” was applied to the princes of the royal house as well (Jer_17:20; comp. 2Ch_32:4). Monarchs expressed their regard for each other by rich presents (1Ki_10:2) and diplomatic embassies, the latter to convey especially their well-wishes and compliments (2Sa_20:2; 2Ki_20:12 sq.; comp. Herod, 6:39). SEE SALUTATION. The following official courtiers are mentioned:
(1.) Chief major-domo or head palace-marshal ( äִáִּéַú ðָâַéã òִì or àֲùֶׁø òִì äִáִּéַú , 2Ki_4:6; 2Ki_18:3; 2Ki_23:18; 2 Kings 9; Isa_22:15), who directed the court state (Kampfer, page 78), but was also occupied with civil duties. Among his subordinates were the palace doorkeepers ( ùֹׁòֲøַéí , 2Ki_7:11).
(2.) Chief bailim'( àֲùֶׁø òִì äִîִּñ , 2Sa_20:24; 1Ki_4:6; 1Ki_12:18; comp. 1Ki_11:28).
(3.) Chief warder of the wardrobe ( àֲùֶׁø òִì äִîֶּìְúָּäָä , 2Ki_10:22, or ùִֹׁîֵø äִáְּâָãַéí , 2Ki_22:14; 2Ch_34:22).
(4.) Superintendent of the exchequer and lands ( ùִֹׁîֵø äָøְëåּùׁ , 1Ch_27:25 sq.), who had the oversight of the royal herds and domains (perhaps ‘the ἐðßôñïðïò of Luk_8:3). Similar were the financial officers of Solomon in the twelve districts ( ðַöָּáַéí , 1Ki_4:7 sq.). The chamberlains proper were usually eunuchs (2Ki_8:6; Jeremiah 53:25); among whom probably was the cup-bearer ( îִùְׁ÷ֶä , 1Ki_10:5; comp. Josephus, Ant. 15:17, 4, 14:11, 4; 16:8,1; see Kampfer, page 81 sq.). A kind of chamberlain or valet is apparently designated in Jer_52:25; 2Ki_25:19 ( äִîֶּìֶêְ àֲðָùַׁéí îֵøֹàֵé ôְðֵé ), unless the expression indicates generally the highest officers of the court and state. What official is denoted in Jer_51:60 ( ùִׂø îְðåּçָä ) is doubtful; Hitzig has perhaps conjectured rightly, the field-marshal. Finally, here belong the royal life-guard, who had to keep watch of the castle or palace (2Ki_11:5), but also saw the royal mandates executed in cases of capital punishment (2Sa_15:1). SEE CHERETHITE.
See generally W. Schickard, Jus. regium Hebrceor. (Tubing. 1621, with notes by J.B. Carpzov, Lips. 1674; also in Ugolini Thesaur. volume 24); Carpzov, Appar. Crit. p. 52 sq.; Michaelis, Mos. Recht, 1:298 sq.; Jahn, Archaol. II, 2:218 sq.; Paulsen, Regier.' d. Morgenland. (Altona, 1755); Otho, Lex. Rubb. page 575. SEE KING.