# king # ## Definition: ## The term "king" refers to a man who is the supreme ruler of a city, state, or country. * A king was usually chosen to rule because of his family relation to previous kings. * When a king died, it was usually his oldest son who became the next king. * In ancient times, the king had absolute authority over the people in his kingdom. * Rarely the term "king" was used to refer to someone who was not a true king, such as "King Herod" in the New Testament. * In the Bible, God is often referred to as a king who rules over his people. * The "kingdom of God" refers to God's rule over his people. * Jesus was called "king of the Jews," "king of Israel," and "king of kings." * When Jesus comes back, he will rule as king over the world. * This term could also be translated as "supreme chief" or "absolute leader" or "sovereign ruler." * The phrase "king of kings" could be translated as "king who rules over all other kings" or "supreme ruler who has authority over all other rulers." (See also: [[kt/authority]] **·** [[other/herodantipas]] **·** [[other/kingdom]] **·** [[kt/kingdomofgod]]) ## Bible References: ## * [1 Timothy 06:15-16](en/tn/1ti/help/06/15) * [2 Kings 05:17-19](en/tn/2ki/help/05/17) * [2 Samuel 05:3-5](en/tn/2sa/help/05/03) * [Acts 07:9-10](en/tn/act/help/07/09) * [Acts 13:21-22](en/tn/act/help/13/21) * [John 01:49-51](en/tn/jhn/help/01/49) * [Luke 01:5-7](en/tn/luk/help/01/05) * [Luke 22:24-25](en/tn/luk/help/22/24) * [Matthew 05:33-35](en/tn/mat/help/05/33) * [Matthew 14:8-9](en/tn/mat/help/14/08) ## Examples from the Bible stories: ## __*[08:06](en/tn/obs/help/08/06)__ One night, the Pharaoh, which is what the Egyptians called their kings, had two dreams that disturbed him greatly. __*[16:01](en/tn/obs/help/16/01)__ The Israelites had no __king__, so everyone did what they thought was right for them. __*[16:18](en/tn/obs/help/16/18)__ Finally, the people asked God for a __king__ like all the other nations had. __*[17:05](en/tn/obs/help/17/05)__ Eventually, Saul died in battle, and David became __king__ of Israel. He was a good __king__, and the people loved him. __*[21:06](en/tn/obs/help/21/06)__ God's prophets also said that the Messiah would be a prophet, a priest, and a __king__. __*[48:14](en/tn/obs/help/48/14)__ David was the __king__ of Israel, but Jesus is the __king__ of the entire universe!