King מֶ֫לֶךְ

What I find interesting as we move into chapter 14 of Genesis is that there are five words that we find used for the first time in the Bible. Let’s look at the first one for our word for the day מֶ֫לֶךְ king, ruler. It is used 2,521 times in the Old Testament, 28 times in our chapter that’s a lot. What is also interesting is that we don’t just have the word used a lot referring to one or two kings but have 10 different kings identified in Genesis chapter 14. Nine of these kings have the land that they rule over as part of their description like “Amraphel מֶ֫לֶךְ king of Shinar” in verse one. In verse nine we find these kings taking up sides in battle “four מֶ֫לֶךְ kings against five”. During the battle Lot, Abram’s nephew, gets taken away and Abram rescues him. Right after this our tenth king shows up that is not like the other nine kings with a title of the land they rule over. What we have instead is not an earthly designation of their domain but simply king of righteousness and peace. We will look at these words on a future day. We also see God mentioned in chapter 14 but not called a king which makes you wonder why. Instead, He is contrasted with all the kings in this way, “God most high”. We will also look at this word most high (which is one Hebrew word) on another day as well. We see this distinction “God most high” used four times which is a lot. I think this is to emphasize that God is separated from these earthly kings. He is the highest over all kings and kingdoms. This will certainly be repeated throughout the rest of the Bible. And later in the Bible we see God called the king several times especially in Psalms. Psalm 10:16 The Lord is מֶ֫לֶךְ King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. Psalm 24:7-8 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the מֶ֫לֶךְ King of glory may come in. Who is this מֶ֫לֶךְ King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 145:1 I will exalt you, my God the מֶ֫לֶךְ King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. God is not only called king but king of kings which is another way to call him the most high over all kings. 1 Timothy 6:15-16 God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Jesus, as God, is also called king of kings. Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. And also in Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Now here is the best part about kings their main role is to protect the people in their realm. This is exactly what God does for us. Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 2 Samuel 22:2-3 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. That is our God and King. The king of kings.