I Ask If The King Must Write An Entire Book Of The Bible And Google Gemini Responds

Me: is it the law that the king must write one of the scrolls of the bible

Google Gemini:

No, it is not a law that the king must write one of the books of the Bible.

However, there was a specific commandment given to Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:18-20:

"When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left."

This passage indicates that a king was required to:

1. Write a personal copy of "this law" (the Torah/Law of Moses) for himself. This was to be done under the supervision of the Levitical priests.
2. Keep it with him and read it daily throughout his life.

The purpose of this was not for the king to author new scripture, but to:

• Ensure he was deeply familiar with God's law.
• Cultivate humility and prevent him from becoming arrogant.
• Guide him in righteous leadership and prevent him from straying from God's commands.

While King Solomon is traditionally credited with writing several books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs), this was his own initiative and inspiration, not a direct commandment to compose new biblical texts. The law required him to copy and study the existing Law, not to add to the canon.