The story goes that George Washington turned down a chance to be king—that but for his amazing self-restraint, the United States would be a monarchy today. Like so many stories of our heroes and villains, the tale of Washington refusing the crown has been oversimplified.
As the Revolutionary War neared its end, an older officer was afraid his Army pension would never be paid (because there was not yet a federal government to pay it and the various states were each hoping the others would pay the new nation’s bills). That officer, Colonel Lewis Nicola, wrote Washington urging him to become a king over a democratically elected Congress. The idea would be to form a hybrid government, an option that appealed to those struggling to understand how a nation could operate without a king at the helm.
But Washington was disgusted at the notion and upset that an officer in his army could still be enamored with the thought of any monarchy, even a hybrid monarchy. He wrote back immediately:
“Be assured Sir, [nothing that has happened in this entire war is more painful to me] than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed, and I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity [such a suggestion] … You could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable.”[1]
The oversimplification inherent in the way this story is usually told lies in this: Colonel Nicola did not possess the authority to bestow a crown on the great general. But he could have started a campaign.
Yet Washington stopped that in its tracks. The general was not tempted in the least. Why not? Was Washington a dumb farmer who did not realize how wealthy he would be as a king? Did he not understand that this was a chance to set up his entire family for life?
He understood. But he and 200,000 soldiers had fought for and some 25,000 had died for something better. The founders waged a revolution to escape the despotic, crushing fist of the British king. Would they now replace it with an American king? No. The Founding Fathers had already concluded that a system of elected executives that rotate off would be far better than the God-made-me-king-for-life arrangements so common around the world and throughout history.
All things considered, Washington deserves credit for refusing to even discuss becoming king. Not only that, when the war ended, he surrendered his commission as general of the army, ensuring that the nation would be led by civilian politicians, not bellicose generals (contrast that with Fidel Castro, who wore army fatigues for fifty years after he seized control of Cuba).
In 1789, Washington was unanimously elected the nation’s first president. He considered bowing out after one term but was encouraged to run again to provide stability to a nation in turmoil. He was again elected unanimously. When his second term ended, this man, now one of the most powerful leaders in the world, ignored talk of a third term and went home to Mount Vernon, inspiring England’s King George III to dub his old enemy, “the greatest character of the age,” or in another version, “the greatest man in the world.”[2]
Perhaps it takes a king to recognize the greatness of a truly selfless leader.
Gideon was a similar leader.
Gideon was the fifth judge of the nation of Israel. He is listed in the “roll call of the faithful” in Hebrews 11:32. He tore down the altar of Baal. He put out the fleece—twice, receiving from God two incredible miracles, Judges 6:33-40. And he went into battle against 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men—and won that battle through an incredible miracle of God, Judges 7:22.
Finally, the people had seen enough. They were ready to make Gideon king! (And these men had the authority to make the offer.)
“Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, ‘Rule over us, both thou and thy son, and thy son’s son also, for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.’ And Gideon said unto them, ‘I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. But the Lord shall rule over you” Judges 8:23.
Could you turn down a crown? Could you?
Remember, these were capable men. They are no longer young, no longer inexperienced, no longer plagued with self-doubt. Washington and Gideon have fought incredible battles. They have stood on battlefields rank with the smell of the decaying flesh of their enemies. They have watched their own men bleed and die. They have grown experienced, wise, and decisive. Now they are older, seasoned, and thinking about doing something for their families, providing them with the finer things in life. The proffered crown could be the key to that next step. Imagine that LinkedIn bio: a handsome photo with the simple word, “King” underneath.
But they said no. And we honor them. Think of the dollar bills, the quarters, the cities, the state, the street names: America honors Washington everywhere, every chance we get. I believe God honored him too.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” 1 Peter 5:5-6.
Pray Psalm 131:
Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
My soul is like a weaned child within me” Psalm 131:1-2.
God, make us humble.
AΩ.
[1] https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/was-george-washington-really-offered-king-us.htm
[2] https://blogs.loc.gov/manuscripts/2022/12/george-washington-the-greatest-man-in-the-world/
Household Words: 