ROOTED - Monday, February 16, 2026
14 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” 15 be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
Reflection: Kings
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
When I was growing up in church, I know for certain that I heard more than one sermon, and more than one Sunday School Bible lesson, proclaiming that Israel sinned when they asked God for a king. I was told that, “Israel sinned because they did not allow God to be their King, which was God’s design all along.” Well… a simple reading through Deuteronomy dispels this assumption. Very clearly God had in mind that the Children of Israel would establish, by God’s design, an earthly kingship.
Of course, the Children of Israel will eventually do the “earthly king” thing badly. They will choose Saul because he is tall and handsome... when God was wanting the shepherd boy, David, who had a heart for God. Furthermore, King Solomon will eventually break nearly all the rules God established for kings. He will have multiple wives (such that he could make treaties with foreign nations), establish a large army of horses, and he will accumulate tremendous wealth. All these things God commanded the kings not to do.
Having earthly rulers is not the problem. It was not then. And it is not now. The issue is whether our leaders honor God or not. That is the perfect and righteous goal. Of course, this is a hard thing to find in a United States President, but it is nevertheless the gold standard. Let me encourage you to pray for, and honor, our presidents… whatever party they are in. They need our sincere prayers that the Lord will touch them and that they will lead honorably. If we prayed for them as much as we speak against them… perhaps God would influence their behavior and God would work in their lives. Just a thought!
Prayer
Lord, be with our leaders that they may lead us in a way that honors you. Help us to be a prayerful people… especially praying for those who need you.