the king's servants camo to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the naine of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne: and the king bowed himself upon the bed. And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it. 2 Kings ix, 6, 13. And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king. 2 Kings xi, 12, 19. And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony: and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house: and he sat on the throne of the kings. 2 Chron. ii, 11, 12. Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them. Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. 2 Chron. xxiii, 11, 20. Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king. And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD; and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. Acts xii, 21. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. ROYAL DRESS. DIGNITY, AND ETIQUETTE. Gen. xli, 42. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. 2 Sam. xii. 30. And he took their king's crown from off his head. (the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones,) and it was set on David's head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. 1 Sam. xxvi, 14, 15. And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered, and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king. 2 Sam. xix, 40. Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimban went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 2 Chron. xviii, 8, 9. And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their 2 Chron. xii, 10, 11. Instead of robes, and they sat in a void place which king Rehoboa.n made at the entering in of the gate of shields of brass, and committed Samaria; and all the prophets pro-them to the hands of the chief of phesied before them." the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house. And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard-chamber. Esther v, 2, 3. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held ont to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. on Esther vi, 7-11. And Haman answered the king. For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man with al whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Then took Haman the apparel, and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. held out the golden sceptre toward Esther viii, 4. Then the king Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. Zech. vi, 14. And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiali, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. 2 Kings xi, 6-9, 11. And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so ye shall keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down. And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king. And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain; and be ye with the king as he goeth out, and as he cometh in. And the captains over the bundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple. 2 Chron. xxiii,5,10. And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD. And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by king round about. the altar and the temple, by the POWER AND PREROGATIVE. Gen. xli, 40, 41, 44. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pha raoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: And let us bring again the ark of our God to us; for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel Num. xxii, 15-17, 37. And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Baalam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me; him, and say, God save king asgeinbled all the princes of Israel, For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thice, curse me this people. And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? Num. xxiv, 11. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. Josh. xxiv, 1. And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 Sam. ii, 37-39. For all the people, and all Israel, understood that day, that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king: and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. 1 Kings 1, 11-13, 17, 18, 20, 21 24 27, 32-35, 52. Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Fast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? And she said unto hin, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy Bon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne: And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou kuowest it not. And thou, my And Adonijih. But me, even me thy vites. 1 Chron. xxviii, 1. 21. And David the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the vallant men, unto Jerusalem. And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee, for all manner of workmanship, every willing skilful man, for any manner of service; also tho princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment. 1 Chron. xxix, 25. And the LORD maguifled Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 2 Chron. i, 1, 2. And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hun1 Kings ii, 12, 35. Then sat Solo- dreds, and to the judges, and to mon upon the throne of Dɛ vid his every governor in all Israel, the father, and his kingdom was estab-chief of the fathers. lished greatly. And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host; and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar. 2 Kings xxiii, 1. And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 1 Chron. xiii, 1-3. And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in 2 Chron. ix, 26. And he reignod over all the kings; from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 2 Chron. xxxiv, 29. Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra x, 7, 8. And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem, unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalein; Aud that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. Esther i, 1, 2. Now it came to pass, in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.) That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace. Esther iii, 1. 10, 11. After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced h'm, and set his seat above all the priuces that were with him. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Esther vi, 4-6. And the king said, Who is in the court? (Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.) And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? (Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?) Esther vill, 1-3, 5-8. On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, unto Esther the queen; and Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Aud Esther spake yet again before the king. and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agag ite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's Acts xii, 20. And Herod was name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is writ-highly displeased with them of ten in the king's name, and sealed Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and having with the king's ring, may no man made Blastus the king's chamberreverse. lain their friend, desired peace, because their country was nourished by the king's country. Eccles. il, 9. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. Jer. xxxviii, 4. 5. Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death....Then Zedekiah, the king said, Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he that can do any thing against you. made Daniel a great man, and Dan. ii. 48, 49. Then the king gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole Ps. xxxiii, 15, 16. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. Ps. cxlvi, 3. Put not your trust in whom there is no help. in princes, nor in the son of man, P3. lxxli, 8, 9. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise from the river unto the ends of men of Babylon. Then Daniel rethe earth. They that dwell in quested of the king, and he set the wilderness shall bow before Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-him; and his enemies shall lick nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. Dan. v, 18, 19. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And, for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive, and whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down. the dust. Ps. lxxv, 6. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor trom the west, nor from the south. Ps. ci, 8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. Ps. cv, 20-22. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance; To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teachhis senators wisdom. Prov. xiv, 35. The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. Darius to set over the kingdom an Daniel vi, 1-3, 15. It pleased Ps. cxviii, 8. 9. It is better to hundred and twenty princes, which trust in the LORD than to put conshould be over the whole king-fidence in man: It is better to dom; And over these three trust in the LORD than to put conpresidents, of whom Daniel was fidence in princes. rst; that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the an excellent spirit was in him; and presidents and princes, because the king thought to set him over the whole realin. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. do Dan. xi, 3, 5, 16. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and according to his will. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. Prov. xvi, 14.15. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. the favour of the prince; and every Prov. xix, 6. Many will entreat man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. Prov. xxv, 2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Eccles. viii, 4. Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Eccles. x, 5-7. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler; Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Luke xix, 27. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. IV.-CHARACTERS. 1 Kings v, 7. And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomou, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. 2 Kings xv, 3. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Job xxxvi, 7. He withdraweth LORD, according to all that his in the sight of the LORD, and not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. Prov. xvi, 12, 13. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. Prov. xx, 8. 26-28. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upholden by mercy. Prov. xxv, 5. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his turone shall be established in righteousness. Prov. xxvili, 12. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. Prov. xxix, 2, 14. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. father Amaziah had done. that which was right in the sight REHOBOAM. (FOR A TIME.) 2 Chron. xi, 17. So they strength ened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. 2 Chron. xii, 14. And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD. UZZIAH. that which was right in the sight BAD KINGS. SOLOMON, (IN SOME THINGS.) 1 Kings xi, 6. And Solomon did 1 Kings xv, 34. And he did evil walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. OMRI. 1 Kings xvi, 25, 26. But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. For he walked son of Nebat, and in his sin wherein all the way of Jeroboam the with he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. AHAB. son of Omri did evil in the sight 1 Kings xvi, 30. And Ahab the of the LORD above ali that were before him. ΑΠΑΖΙΑΠ. 1 Kings xxii, 52. And he did walked in the way of his father, evil in the sight of the LORD, and and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 2 Kings viii, 27. And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab; for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab. JEHU. 2 Kings x, 31. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam which made Israel to sin. JEHOAHAZ. 1 Kings xiii, 2. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. JEHOASH. which was evil in the sight of the 2 Kings xiii, 11. And he did that LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein. ZECHARIAH. 2 Kings xv, 9. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. ΑΠΑΖ. 2 Kings xvi, 2. Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father. JEIORAM. 2 Chron. xxi, 6. And he walked In the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. JEHOIACHIN. 2 Kings xxiv, 9. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. ZEDEKIAH. Jer. xxxvi, 1, 2. And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the lant of Julah. But neither he. nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah. MENAHEX. 2 Kings xv, 18. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lono; he departed not all his days from the sins of Jerobeam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. JEHORAM. 2 Kings 1, 2, 3. And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like his father, and like his mother, for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made. Never heless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. 2 Kings viii, 18. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. HOSHEA. 2 Kings xvii, 2. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORO, but not as the kings of Is..el that were before him. Zeph. i, 8. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. Luke vii, 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in king's courts. Rev. xviii, 9. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. PRIDE. Deut. xvil, 20. That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hind or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children in the mist of Israel. 2 Chron. xxxiii, 23. And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. 2 Chron. Xxxvi, 12. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet, speaking from the mouth of the LORD. Isa. x, 8. For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? the word of the LORD, ye scornful Isa. xxviii, 14. Wherefore hear men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. FLATTERY AND FALSEHOOD. becometh not a fool; much less do Prov. xvii, 7. Excellent speech lying lips a prince. Prov. xxix, 12. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. Dan. viii, 25. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall by peace shall destroy many: he magity himself in his heart, and shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. Dan. xi, 21, 27. And in his estate shall stand up a vile per on, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom; but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. Hos. vii, 3. They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. AVARICE. Isa. i, 23. Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards. Hos. iv, 18. Their drink is sour, they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love. Give ye. Amos ill, 9, 10. Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. Micah vii, 3. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great |