Examples of Kings Who Feared God

Whatever our office or position, there is usually someone else who leads us. In the family, as children, we submit to our parents. As employees, we submit to our superiors. As members of the congregation, we submit to our fellowship group leader or pastor. And, as citizens, we submit to the law and regulations, as well as to our head of state.

Kings, presidents, and prime ministers are people chosen by God to lead a nation. The Old Testament records the stories of the kings of Judah. Some feared the Lord; others did evil in His sight.

What good can we receive from fearing God? What happens if we do the opposite?

The following stories of the kings of Judah give us insight into what God can do through the lives of those who please Him.

1. King Asa (1 Kings 15:9-24, 2 Chronicles 14:2-15)

Asa did what was right in the sight of the LORD, as David his forefather had done. He removed the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. He even removed Maacah, his grandmother, from her position as queen mother, because she had made a vile image of Asherah. Asa cut down that vile image and burned it in the Kidron Valley. – 1 Kings 15:11-13

Refusing to compromise with the sin of idol worship, that is what King Asa did as proof of his fear of the Lord. He understood that only God is to be worshiped, not idols. Even family ties did not keep King Asa from acting firmly against idol worshipers, including his own grandmother.

He said to Judah, "Let us build up these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours, because we seek the LORD our God, and He seeks us and grants us rest on every side." So they built and prospered. – 2 Chronicles 14:7

The Lord honored Asa's heart, which always sought to do what was right in His sight. Not only did He grant peace and success in building up the land of Judah, but the Lord also gave victory in every battle the nation faced. Asa's obedience made the lives of his people strong and prosperous.

2. King Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:41-50)

He walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from them, but did what was right in the sight of the LORD. Yet the high places were not removed. The people still offered sacrifices and burned offerings on those high places. – 1 Kings 22:43

King Asa left a positive example for his son, Jehoshaphat. During his twenty-five years as king, Jehoshaphat led his nation in obedience to God. This is proof of how important the role of parents is in giving their children an example of fearing the Lord.

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of David his forefather and did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father. He walked in His commandments and did not act as Israel did. – 2 Chronicles 17:3-4

Because Jehoshaphat lived in the fear of the Lord, his nation was secure, his cities prospered, and his military forces were strong. Other nations did not dare to wage war against Judah.

Obeying the Lord's commands does not mean that all our desires will surely be granted. Yet God will enable us to do many things that are good and right.

3. King Uzziah/Azariah (2 Kings 15:1-7, 2 Chronicles 26:1-23)

He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, just as Amaziah his father had done. He sought God during the lifetime of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. – 2 Chronicles 26:4-5

Uzziah was made king when he was only sixteen years old. During his reign, under the guidance of Zechariah, Uzziah always sought the Lord. All his efforts were blessed, and King Uzziah ruled Judah for quite a long time, about half a century.

Sadly, after gaining great power, Uzziah became proud and no longer honored the Lord.

But after he became strong, his heart grew proud, leading to his destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. – 2 Chronicles 26:16

Pride always goes before destruction. When Uzziah turned away from the Lord and presumptuously burned incense on the altar, which was the duty of the priests descended from Aaron, he was struck with leprosy. Until the end of his life, King Uzziah was never healed of that disease.

We may be skilled in a certain field and receive praise for the results of our work, but always remember: it is all because of the Lord. Guard yourself so that you remain humble. Be thankful for the Lord's presence, so that we are able to do things that bring good to many people. And do not forget, always watch yourself carefully so that you do not fall as King Uzziah did.

The kings of Judah have shown how fearing the Lord always brings good into their lives. Let us show our fear of God by not compromising with sin, by living according to His commands, and by remaining humble when God makes us strong and causes us to prosper. Amen.

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