The First Kings

These are the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites... [1 Chronicles 1.43a]

The contrast here is that the descendants of Israel (Jacob) had no king. It was Esau's descendants that first established kings over their people.

I am uncertain what the significance of this fact is, however, I feel like it has some meaning beyond the obvious fact. The reason for my logic is that later, when Israel would desire a king, it is not a positive thing to their credit but more of a disobedient thing. Why?

Perhaps it is just an issue of timing. Perhaps any king over Israel would be premature before the Advent of the King of Kings. Perhaps the establishment of kings before the Son of God demonstrated how a king was to truly operate only confused the people when the Son of God did come.

I am guessing today that my idea of being a 'king and priest' myself should be patterned after Jesus and not after the Old Testament models - especially in regard to being a king.

Now, it makes a little more sense that David, much later in Israel's history, was a king that also clothed himself as a priest on occasion. Hmm. Furthermore, David, then, was declared a 'man after God's own heart...'

Father, help me today to understand more deeply the significance of kings and priests as their roles unfold in Bible history.