28.11.2013
Kings have always desired to rule by divine
right and some have set themselves up as heads of churches.
The Old Testament offers a unique insight
into how power is given, not usurped. I am thinking of David of Israel.
David was loyal to King Saul who repaid David's refusal to have him killed-when Saul had tried to murder David and put him to
flight- with ingratitude. The Jewish clan chiefs had come to the Prophet Samuel with the demand for a king "like other countries" and Saul had been appointed.
David's appointment was the result of representations by prophets, princes (clan chiefs), elders and bards. David was fourteen when he reached maturity according to Jewish custom (Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth). David's appointment was due to his successful command of Israel’s armies (2 Samuel 5:1-3) which brought Israel’s gratitude.
David's appointment was the result of representations by prophets, princes (clan chiefs), elders and bards. David was fourteen when he reached maturity according to Jewish custom (Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth). David's appointment was due to his successful command of Israel’s armies (2 Samuel 5:1-3) which brought Israel’s gratitude.
Daniel (1: 1-6, 8-20) describes the scenario while in
Babylon after a break in royal succession a panel of four Jewish boys ‘without
any physical defect, of good appearance trained in every kind of wisdom,
well-informed, with a knack of learning and suitable to serve’ were chosen by King Nebuchadnezzar’s spiritual advisor to serve at his table.
The wisest and most faithful to his own
Jewish doctrine was chosen as successor to David of Israel. This was Daniel.
In exile as in a colony, like those of
colonial Africa, we see that kingship survives, though diminished, provided it
remains faithful to religious traditions.
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