Instructions to the king

"And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers" (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

I don't know if you pictured David or Solomon reading their Bible every day---say, curled up in the royal bed under the royal canopy. But they were supposed to. Every day. No one thought it was "legalism" to tell them to do so. It isn't legalism if God commands it.

That was for kings, of course. Doesn't mean we have to do it. Kings had to know their Torah well; it was their job.

Still, if there was ever a place to plug in "love the Lord with all your heart and with all your mind," this is it. Wouldn't a mind that loves God wholly start thinking: Hmm, if it's a good idea for kings, wouldn't it be good for me? If reading the Bible "all the days of his life" will keep the king's heart from being "lifted up above his brothers," I WANT IT TOO.

There is such a thing as sanctified greed. (I think I can say that if John Piper can talk about Christian hedonism.) If you can call a desperate longing for more of God "greed," then I suppose it's greedy. Go ahead: Steal the prerogative of a king and read the Bible every day. I'll bet you won't get punished.

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