The words of this doctrine are found in a sonnet by James I & bolstered by St. Paul writing, “the powers that be are ordained by god”

Monday’s Final Jeopardy clue brought contestants into the realm of political philosophy and theology with a nod to both literary and biblical sources. The clue referenced a sonnet by King James I of England and a quotation from the Bible attributed to St. Paul—specifically, “the powers that be are ordained by God.”

What is the Divine Right of Kings?

The correct response was “What is the Divine Right of Kings?”

This concept—also known simply as divine right—played a significant role in shaping monarchies across Europe. It asserts that a monarch’s authority is given directly by God, not delegated by earthly institutions such as parliaments or the people. The doctrine was not only used to justify the king’s absolute authority but also to suggest that any rebellion against the monarch was equivalent to rebellion against God’s will.

The Role of King James I and His Writings

King James I, who ruled England and Scotland in the early 17th century, was one of the most vocal proponents of the divine right doctrine. In addition to his political actions, he authored several works supporting monarchical absolutism, including the sonnet alluded to in the clue. His writings often blended religious imagery with political assertions, painting the monarch as God’s appointed representative on Earth.

James’s views were made especially clear in his treatise The True Law of Free Monarchies, where he claimed kings were “God’s lieutenants upon earth.” His belief in the divine right helped shape not only domestic policy but also his contentious relationship with Parliament, which resisted his attempts to rule without consent or restraint.

The Biblical Justification from St. Paul

The second part of the clue refers to the apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans in the New Testament, specifically Romans 13:1: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” This passage was frequently cited by monarchists and theologians to reinforce the idea that resisting a ruler was a sin against divine order.

Throughout history, this verse has been interpreted in various ways, but in the context of the divine right doctrine, it became a central theological pillar. It gave monarchs not just political legitimacy, but spiritual and moral authority as well—placing their power above question or challenge.

The Historical Impact of the Divine Right Doctrine

The divine right of kings wasn’t just an abstract idea. It had real consequences, particularly in the politics of 17th-century England and France. In England, it helped shape the reigns of both James I and his son Charles I, the latter of whom took the doctrine to extremes. Charles’s absolutist stance and disregard for Parliament ultimately led to the English Civil War and his execution in 1649.

In France, similar ideas underpinned the rule of Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” who famously declared, “L’État, c’est moi” (“I am the state”). The doctrine gave monarchs justification for centralized power, but also bred resentment that contributed to revolutions in both England and France. Over time, the rise of constitutional monarchy and democratic ideals displaced the divine right theory in most of the Western world.

Why This Clue Matters in the Study of Political History

This Final Jeopardy clue offered more than just a test of historical recall—it spotlighted a key turning point in the evolution of political power and authority. Understanding the divine right of kings helps explain not only how monarchs ruled in past centuries but also how their power came to be questioned and dismantled.

By combining a poetic reference from King James I with a New Testament passage, the clue effectively captured the religious and cultural underpinnings of the doctrine. For those studying the development of Western political systems, the divine right of kings stands as a symbol of absolute authority—one that was ultimately challenged by ideas of representation, rights, and revolution.