Who Is "The" Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah?
A *prowling roar like the *strong lion is the wrath of *a king, but as dew *covers the vegetation in his favor. (MAST)
*[prowling roar] literally, a roaring. However, this is visualizing the king’s wrath. Solomon does not intend for us to observe this roaring as prideful gloating. This proverb is to state the king’s purpose. The prowling is added to picture for us the use of the king’s wrath. Why does a lion prowl as he roars? Is it not to protect his domain? Is it not to defend his territory? The prowling roar is the statement that the king exercises wrath to protect the borders of the kingdom. But don’t automatically associate this with the pride of a lion (Rom.13:4-5).
*[strong lion] literally, the lion. The direct article here is identifying a particular lion. This lion is the lion of lions. The plain use of the noun describes a young lion between the stage of a cub and an adult. However, this one leads the pack. This one has the ambition and power to stand out above the rest. But again, it is not Solomon’s intent to draw attention to the pride of the beast but of the beast’s power (Dan.6:27).
*[a king] literally, a king. And that’s the point. Solomon is referring to his own authority but hides it behind humility (Ps.22:1; Matt.2:2;27:11,29; Mk.15:9,34; Jn.19:17-22). Solomon intends to leave out the direct article behind his identity for you to focus on the direct article behind the lion’s character. He wants you to look away from him to behold the whole counsel of God’s purpose (Acts 20:27). This kingdom is not about his own reign. He is not in this position to make a name for himself. This proverb is for the next generation of kings and in honor and respect to the king that preceded him (1Sam.17:45;Lk.1:27,32;20:38-47). This king intends to protect and guard “the trust” that was handed down to him (1Tim.6:20). So, Solomon tells us to behold the lion to demonstrate the purpose of a king (Rev.5:5). Look at how the lion defends the territory (Micah 7:5). The lion has no fear in letting his enemies know how he will protect his kingdom (2Tim.4:17).
*[covers] literally, is over. However, this is to describe how the dew glistens the vegetation. The dew brings life and beauty to the vegetation and watches over her for her health (Pr.3:2; Mal.2:5; Rom.8:6; 1Thess.4:11; 1Tim.2:2). That’s what Solomon intends to convey as king. He doesn’t limit the image of a king to just a protector but also a provider. The king guards the borders for the internal health of the kingdom and opens the borders to add to her life and beauty (Ps.102:15; Isa.56:7; Mk.11:17; Rev.21:24). That’s the point of the proverb. The king isn’t just in a rage to be in a rage but is gentle like a dove with his own kingdom. He is at peace with his peculiar subjects, but he is not going to surrender his “joy” to an enemy of her life and beauty (Rom.14:17; 2Cor.1:24;Phil.4:1; Heb.10:34;13:17; 1Jn.1:4;3Jn.4). Don’t confuse the pride of a lion with the joy of a husband (Isa.54:5; Jer.31:32; Hos.2:16; 1Cor.7:3-4,12-16; Eph.5:22-29,32-33). Solomon is married to his nation because he takes pleasure in her vision, and his rage is against those who threaten her. Therefore this is a proverbial image for all kings to imitate.
