King David, for all his goodness, would have been disqualified from being an overseer in the Apostolic Church.[1] Likewise Solomon, for all his wisdom, was a polygamist,[2] military dictator,[3] and idolater;[4] under him were fulfilled the curses of 1 Samuel 8.[5] Although representing a departure from God’s Law (as given to the Patriarchs[6]), God allowed non-Familial institutions; they (a) helped maintain some social order[7] and (b) served as a pedagogue, teaching the people about the True King, the coming Christ.[8]
Notes
1. 1 Timothy 3:2 + 1 Samuel 25:43; 1 Timothy 3:3 + 1 Chronicles 28:3; 1 Timothy 3:4 + 1 Kings 1:6,11
2. 1 Kings 11:1ff.
3. 1 Kings 4:26ff.; 5:13ff.
4. 1 Kings 11:4-11
5. 1 Kings 10:14+c.; 12:11; cp. Deuteronomy 17:14-20; cf. #24
6. Genesis 26:5; 18:19
7. 2 Chronicles 19:5-11; Isaiah 49:23; #94, #34
8. Psalm 72; Galatians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 10:11
References
What is an "Institution"?
Thesis 41: The Character of “gods”
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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