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Warning Against Rebellion Against the King in Proverbs

The book of Proverbs frequently advises against rebellion, particularly against both God and earthly rulers. Proverbs 24:21 explicitly states, "My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious" [1]. This verse encapsulates a dual command: reverence for God and respect for the governing authority, while simultaneously warning against association with those who defy either [10].

Rebellion, in a broader sense, is understood as a transgression against established authority. Torrey's Topical Textbook identifies rebellion against God as forbidden, citing numerous Old Testament passages such as Numbers 14:9 and Joshua 22:19. This type of rebellion is seen as provoking God, vexing the Holy Spirit, and manifesting in various forms like unbelief, rejecting God's government, despising His law and counsels, distrusting His power, murmuring, and refusing to hearken to Him [3]. The consequences of such rebellion are severe, as seen in 1 Samuel 12:15, where John Gill notes that if the people and their king "rebel against the commandment of the Lord," God's hand will be against them through judgments like famine, sword, or pestilence [9].

The warning against rebellion extends to earthly kings and rulers. The instruction to "fear the Lord, and the king" implies a hierarchy where the king's authority is derived from and subordinate to God's [10]. This fear of the king involves love, reverence, trust, and submission, provided these actions are consistent with the fear of God and obedience to Him [10]. Torrey's Topical Textbook also lists "reviling and reproaching" of rulers as specifically forbidden, referencing Exodus 22:28 and Acts 23:4-5 [2]. This prohibition underscores the importance of respecting the office of the ruler, even if the individual ruler is flawed.

The wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, often highlights the dangers of rebellion. Proverbs 17:11 states that "An evil man seeketh only rebellion" [7]. John Gill interprets this to mean that a rebellious person is constantly seeking to do evil, viewing all sin as an act of rebellion against God's laws and authority [7]. This perspective suggests that a rebellious disposition is inherently aligned with evil.

The consequences of rebellion against a king are also emphasized. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Proverbs 30:32 advises suppressing even the thought of an attempt to resist a king, implying that such resistance is futile and dangerous [6]. This counsel suggests a pragmatic understanding of power dynamics, where challenging a king is likely to lead to negative outcomes for the rebel.

While the Proverbs generally advocate for submission to authority, there are also instances where kings are warned against abusing their power. For example, Jeremiah 22:1-3, as interpreted by Keil & Delitzsch, shows God warning the king of Judah against injustice, violent oppression of the poor, and shedding innocent blood [8]. This indicates that while subjects are to fear the king, the king himself is accountable to God and is expected to govern righteously. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Proverbs 31:3 also provides "solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government" [5]. These warnings suggest a reciprocal responsibility: subjects are to be loyal, and kings are to be just.

The concept of not seeking revenge is also related to the broader theme of avoiding rebellion and maintaining social order. Torrey's Topical Textbook explicitly states that revenge is forbidden by Christ and is inconsistent with a Christian spirit, citing passages like Matthew 5:39-41 and Romans 12:17, 19 [4]. Instead of revenge, believers are encouraged to trust in God, exhibit love, and exercise forbearance [4]. This principle can be extended to the political sphere, where personal grievances against rulers should not escalate into rebellious acts, but rather be addressed through other means, trusting in God's ultimate justice.

The warnings against rebellion in Proverbs, therefore, are multifaceted. They encompass both theological and practical dimensions, urging reverence for God and respect for His appointed authorities, while also cautioning rulers against tyranny. The underlying principle is the maintenance of order and justice, both divine and human, and the avoidance of actions that disrupt this order.

Sources

  1. Proverbs “My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious: -- Proverbs 24:21”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reviling and Reproaching — Forbidden -- 1Pe 3:9. Of rulers specially forbidden -- Ex 22:28; Ac 23:4,5. The wicked utter, against God. -- Ps 74:22; 79:12. God, by opposing the poor. -- Pr 14:31. Christ. -- Mt 27:39; Lu 7:34. Saints. -- Ps 102:8; Zep 2:8. Rulers. -- 2Pe 2:10,11; Jude 1:8,9. Of Christ, predicted -- Ps 69:9; Ro 15:3; Ps 89:51. The conduct of Christ under -- 1Pe 2:23. Saints Endure. -- 1Ti 4:10; Heb 10:33. Endure for God's sake. -- Ps 69:7. Endure for Christ's sake. -- Lu 6:22. Should expect. -- Mt 10:25. Should not fear. -- Isa 51:7. Sometimes depressed ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Rebellion Against God — Forbidden -- Nu 14:9; Jos 22:19. Provokes God -- Nu 16:30; Ne 9:26. Provokes Christ -- Ex 23:20,21; 1Co 10:9. Vexes the Holy Spirit -- Isa 63:10. Exhibited in Unbelief. -- De 9:23; Ps 106:24,25. Rejecting his government. -- 1Sa 8:7; 15:23. Revolting from him. -- Isa 1:5; 31:6. Despising his law. -- Ne 9:26. Despising his counsels. -- Ps 107:11. Distrusting his power. -- Eze 17:15. Murmuring against him. -- Nu 20:3,10. Refusing to hearken to him. -- De 9:23; Eze 20:8; Zec 7:11. Departing from him. -- Isa 59:13. Rebellion against governors appoi”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
  5. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 31:3: Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence. strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort. thy ways--or course of life. to that . . . kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare Pro 5:9; Pro 7:22, Pro 7:27; Hos 4:11).”
  6. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:32: As none can hope, successfully, to resist such a king, suppress even the thought of an attempt. lay . . . hand upon thy mouth--"lay" is well supplied (Jdg 18:19; Job 29:9; Job 40:4).”
  7. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 17:11: An evil man seeketh only rebellion,.... For he seeks nothing but what is evil; and all sin is rebellion against God, a contempt of his laws, and a transgression of them; a trampling upon his legislative power and authority; an act of hostility against him, and a casting off allegiance to him. Or rather the words may be rendered, "rebellion", that is, "the rebellious man", so the Targum, the abstract for the concrete, "verily" or "only seeketh evil" (m); a man that is rebellious against his prince, that is of a rebellious disposition, is continually seeking to do mi”
  8. Jeremiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 22:1: The king is warned against injustice, and the violent oppression of the poor and defenceless. - Jer 22:1. "Thus said Jahveh: Go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak there this word, Jer 22:2. And say: Hear the word of Jahveh, thou king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people, that go in by these gates. Jer 22:3. Thus hath Jahveh said: Do ye right and justice, and save the despoiled out of the hand of the oppressor; to stranger, orphan, and widow do no wrong, no violence; and innocent blood shed not i”
  9. 1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 12:15: But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord,.... They and their king, by sinning, disregarding his precepts, both affirmative and negative: then shall the hand of the Lord be against you; by sending some judgments upon them, as famine, sword, or pestilence, particularly captivity and subjection to their enemies: as it was against your fathers; who had no king; and it is suggested that their case, who had one, would be no better than theirs; their king would not be able to save them from the hand of God: the words”
  10. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 24:20: My son, fear thou the Lord, and the king,.... First the Lord, and then the king; and such as fear the Lord are generally loyal to their king; the fear of God includes love to him, reverence of him, faith in him, submission to him, and the whole worship of him, inward and outward, attended with holiness of life and conversation: and the king, who is under God, is to be feared also, with a fear suitable to him; he is to be loved and reverenced, to be trusted in and submitted to, in everything consistent with the fear of God and obedience to him; in whatever is not co”
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