And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:25, ESV)
When it comes down to it on a Sunday afternoon on the PGA Tour, the entourage around the player about to win really is striking. There is, of course, his caddie, a private attendant doing any number of things that would otherwise distract from the king’s chief purpose. Following closely are a camera person and a boom operator, catching every sight and sound for us. A scorer walks with this small band, as does a standard bearer. A rules official is nearby. And, when this is allowed, there are the fans—thousands of them celebrating this victory parade.
It all paints a picture of royalty, in a way. A king followed by his courtiers and the cheering populace. One exalted above the others.
The same thing happens on other tours, too, if on a smaller scale. The LPGA and Korn Ferry Tour provide similar scenes, with attendants and heralds and throngs.
Earthly kingdoms are not all of the same size and strength, but they all have ways of lauding their rulers, showing off as much pomp and regalia as they can. And if the ruler is beloved, the shouts are sincere and the servants are blessed.
Some years ago, Links Players president Jeff Cranford and I were introduced to the idea of modern kings and queens. These are not who you think they are, for you yourself might certainly be one!
Integrity, fairness, and generosity bring blessing to far more people than the ruler himself will ever meet or know.In a nutshell, kings and queens are those positioned to impact others in intentional, ordered ways. In our time, these are often owners or managers of companies, whose decisions and actions can literally change the lives of their employees, and thus their employees’ families. It does not matter whether the company is large or small, a benevolent leader can positively impact a whole line of people. In today’s vernacular, we might call this “systemic good,” where established practices of integrity, fairness, and generosity bring blessing to far more people than the ruler himself will ever meet or know.
When we read of Solomon’s reign in 1 Kings, we recognize the difference that can be made by a prosperous and generous ruler. When he rendered his judgment among two contending women, we read that all Israel “stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice” (1 Kings 3:28). His steady governance led to safety and satisfaction for “every man under his vine.” And his great “public works” project—the building of the temple—provided a religious and cultural center for the people. In these early years of his reign, it seems everything Solomon did created “ripples on the pond” that brought blessing to the people. Sadly, Solomon’s own excellence waned as his life went on, and the nation began to suffer for it. That too is impact.
Should we really think of ourselves as kings? If we have positions of influence—as owners, managers, teachers, parents—we most certainly should. Why? Because God has blessed us, and this blessing is to be passed on with integrity, fairness, and generosity. It is the way great kings, like our Lord himself, do things.
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Jeff Hopper
July 6, 2020
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.