"And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of
this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:and it shall be with him, and
he shall read therein all the days of his life:that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all
the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:that his heart be not lifted above his
brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left:to the
end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel."
(Deut. 17:18-20).

In the wisdom of God He gave the foregoing exhortation for any king whom He would choose to
rule over His people. Kings were no better than the common people and needed the word of God
to guide then in their responsibilities. Their success and blessing depended upon being thus
guided. Their failure and sorrow would be due to the neglect of divine guidance. The history of
the kings of Israel and Judah, as recorded in the Bible, manifests who adhered to God’s Word,
and who sought to rule independently of God.

King David said, "The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men
must be just, ruling in the fear of God." (II Sam. 23:3).

"When the righteous are in authority, the people mourn."(Prov. 29:2).

If Kings were required to have the word of God by them all their days for their guidance and
blessing, how equally true and essential for the Lord’s people, young and old, to have the word of
God for their daily reading and guidance and blessing.