As a king, Solomon was in a good position to give advice about how to act wisely toward rulers. He stated: “Keep the very order of the king, and that out of regard for the oath of God.

Eccl. 8:2-4.

In ancient Israel, the representative elders of the nation might enter into a covenant with the king, agreeing to remain loyal to him. For example, regarding David we read: “All the older men of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David concluded a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah.” (2 Sam. 5:3) Accordingly, disobedience to the command of the king would mean unfaithfulness to the oath of loyalty made before Jehovah. On the other hand, obedience constituted regard for the true God, in whose presence the covenant was made. Similarly, out of regard for Jehovah, true Christians remain submissive to the governments of this world, recognizing that such exist by God’s permission.​—Rom. 13:1, 2.