They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
Read Chapter 8
Cyprian of Carthage
AD 258
When Peter is speaking to the people concerning the bishop to be ordained in the place of Judas, it says, “Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, for the multitude was together.” But we notice that the apostles observed this, not only in the ordination of bishops and of priests but also in the ordinations of deacons. Concerning this very thing, in their Acts, it is also written, “The Twelve called together the multitude of the disciples,” it says, “and spoke to them.” This matter was carried on diligently and cautiously, with the whole people assembled so that no unworthy man should attain to the ministry of the altar or to the priestly rank. For the fact is that sometimes unworthy men are ordained, not according to the will of God but according to human presumption. These things that do not come from a legitimate and just ordination are displeasing to God. God himself makes this known through the prophet Hosea, saying, “They made themselves a king, but not by me.”
They. Jeroboam and Jehu were assured by the prophets that they should reign, yet this was not a sanction of their right. God condemned their ambition and wicked conduct. The successors of Zarharias had still less pretensions to the throne. God permits such things. The people had not consulted him in these changes. (Calmet)
Kings were their own choice, 1 Kings xviii. Saul rose by their "error. "(St. Jerome)
Knew, or approved not, ver. 2., and Matthew xxv. 12. (Calmet)
Perish. This was the effect, though contrary to their intention. (Haydock)
How is it said in this place that the Lord makes the hypocrite to reign when through the prophet he complains especially about that, saying, “They have reigned but not of me: they have become princes, and I know them not”? For who that thinks rightly can say that the Lord does that of which he knows nothing? But because God’s knowledge is approval, his ignorance is disapproval…. In a marvelous manner then does God make hypocrites to reign and knows them not. He makes them by forbearance; by rejecting them he knows them not. Thus it is necessary, with reference to everything which is desired in this life, that the inner will should be first inquired into. And when the ear of the heart is anxious to catch its sound, let it know that it speaks not in words but in deeds. When then a post of authority is offered, it is necessary for a man first to question with himself whether his conduct is suited to the place, whether his doings are at variance with the distinction it confers, lest perhap...
Hear how he reproves the unfaithful, when he says, “You have taken counsel, but not of me, and made treaties, but not by my Spirit.” For this is the habit of those who love: they desire that all concerns of their beloved should be accomplished by means of themselves and that no one should do anything, or say anything, without them. On this account did God not only on that occasion, but again elsewhere, utter a reproof in the same terms: “They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but they did not make it known to me.”
