In the biblical context, the role of a king is not only to govern but also to uphold and adhere to the divine law as set forth by God. The king's duty to the law is a central theme in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, and 2 Kings. This duty underscores the principle that even the highest earthly authority is subject to God's commandments and statutes.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

The foundational text regarding the king's duty to the law is found in Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Here, God provides specific instructions for the king of Israel: "When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long over his kingdom in Israel" .

This passage emphasizes the king's personal responsibility to know and follow God's law. The requirement for the king to write a copy of the law serves as a means of internalizing and personalizing the divine commandments. The presence of the Levitical priests during this process underscores the sacred nature of the task and the king's accountability to religious authority.

1 Samuel 12:14-15

The prophet Samuel reiterates the importance of obedience to God's law in 1 Samuel 12:14-15: "If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers" .

Samuel's words highlight the conditional nature of the king's success and the prosperity of the nation. The king's duty to the law is not only a personal obligation but also a communal one, affecting the entire nation. The king's obedience to God is directly linked to the well-being of the people he governs.

2 Kings 22:11-13

The narrative of King Josiah in 2 Kings 22 provides a poignant example of a king's response to the discovery of the Book of the Law. Upon hearing the words of the law, Josiah tears his clothes in a sign of repentance and instructs his officials to inquire of the LORD: "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us" .

Josiah's reaction demonstrates the king's duty to respond to the law with humility and repentance. His actions lead to a national reform, illustrating the king's role as a spiritual leader who guides the people back to covenant faithfulness.

Theological Implications

The king's duty to the law reflects the broader biblical theme of covenantal faithfulness. The king is not an autonomous ruler but a servant of God, entrusted with the responsibility to lead the nation in accordance with divine principles. This duty serves as a reminder that all authority is derived from God and must be exercised in alignment with His will.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the success and failure of Israel's kings are often measured by their adherence to God's law. The king's duty to the law is a testament to the enduring principle that righteousness and justice are foundational to godly leadership.