40 Powerful Bible Verses About Kings

Kings are often mentioned throughout the Bible, showcasing their influence, responsibilities, and relationship with God. Understanding what the Bible says about kings provides insights into leadership, authority, and God’s divine plan. Below are 40 powerful Bible verses about kings to guide and inspire you.

What Does God Say About Kings in the Bible?

The Bible provides profound insights into the role and responsibilities of kings. God establishes kings as His instruments to lead and govern His people. However, He also holds them accountable for their actions. Here are some key principles:

Kings are chosen by God: In Deuteronomy 17:15, God instructs the Israelites to appoint a king whom He chooses. This emphasizes that true authority comes from God.
Kings must rule with justice and righteousness: Proverbs 16:12 states, “It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness.”
Kings are to serve God and His people: A king’s primary duty is to lead according to God’s will and care for the people under their rule (Psalm 72:1-4).
God holds kings accountable: Even kings are subject to God’s judgment. Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling in Daniel 4 is a powerful example of this truth.

Understanding these principles helps us see that leadership, whether in ancient times or today, is a sacred responsibility.

Great Kings in the Bible

Throughout biblical history, several kings stood out for their leadership, wisdom, and faith in God. Some followed God’s will, while others strayed. Here are a few notable kings:

King David – David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), was known for his leadership, faith, and victories in battle. He wrote many of the Psalms and established Jerusalem as the central place of worship.
King Solomon – Solomon, David’s son, was known for his unmatched wisdom (1 Kings 3:12). He built the temple in Jerusalem and ruled with great prosperity, though he later strayed from God’s commandments.
King Hezekiah – Hezekiah was a righteous king who trusted in God during the Assyrian invasion. His prayers and faith led to miraculous deliverance (2 Kings 19:35-36).
King Josiah – Josiah led a great spiritual revival in Israel by restoring worship and reading the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:1-2).
King Jesus (The Ultimate King) – Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). His reign is eternal, and His kingdom is one of justice, righteousness, and peace.

40 Bible Verses About Kings

Here are 40 powerful Bible verses about kings, showcasing the significance of leadership, justice, and divine authority:

Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.”
Daniel 2:21: “He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Psalm 75:7: “But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”
Romans 13:1: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Proverbs 16:12: “It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.”
Psalm 72:1-4: “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!”
Proverbs 20:28: “Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.”
2 Samuel 23:3: “The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: ‘When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God…’”
Proverbs 25:2: “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”
1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.”
James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Daniel 4:37: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”
Psalm 20:9: “O Lord, save the king! May He answer us when we call.”
Psalm 21:7: “For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.”
Psalm 144:10: “He gives victory to kings; He rescues David His servant from the cruel sword.”
Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Revelation 19:16: “On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
John 18:37: “Then Pilate said to Him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’”
1 Timothy 6:15: “Which He will display at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Deuteronomy 17:18-20: “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law… And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God…”
2 Chronicles 19:6: “And he said to the judges, ‘Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment.’”
Proverbs 29:14: “If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.”
Jeremiah 23:5: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
1 Kings 2:3: “And keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.”
2 Chronicles 7:17-18: “And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules, then I will establish your royal throne…”
Psalm 78:72: “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.”
Proverbs 8:15: “By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just.”
Ezekiel 21:26: “Thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted.”
Daniel 5:20: “But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.”
Isaiah 14:12: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!”
Jeremiah 13:18: “Say to the king and the queen mother: ‘Take a lowly seat, for your beautiful crown has come down from your head.’”
Revelation 11:15: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.’”
Isaiah 9:7: “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”
Micah 5:2: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
Luke 1:32-33: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Psalm 47:7: “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!”
Psalm 95:3: “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
1 Timothy 1:17: “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Psalm 10:16: “The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.”

Lessons from the Kings of the Bible

The Bible reveals that kings were held accountable for their actions. Their success depended on their obedience to God’s Word. Those who ruled with justice and humility flourished, while those who turned away from God faced judgment.

Conclusion

The Bible provides deep insight into the role of kings, their responsibilities, and their accountability to God. Whether discussing historical rulers or the divine kingship of Christ, Bible verses about kings emphasize leadership, justice, and faith. As believers, we can learn from these passages to honor God in our leadership roles and trust in His ultimate sovereignty.

By exploring these Bible verses about kings, we gain wisdom on governance, righteousness, and the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. May these scriptures inspire us to seek God’s will in leadership and follow Him wholeheartedly.