Bible Verses About Civil Service

Yosef was brought down to Egypt, and Potifar, an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Yishma'elim who had brought him there.

ADONAI was with Yosef, and he became wealthy while he was in the household of his master the Egyptian.

His master saw how ADONAI was with him, that ADONAI prospered everything he did.

Yosef pleased him as he served him, and his master appointed him manager of his household; he entrusted all his possessions to Yosef.

From the time he appointed him manager of his household and all his possessions, ADONAI blessed the Egyptian's household for Yosef's sake; ADONAI's blessing was on all he owned, whether in the house or in the field.

So he left all his possessions in Yosef's care; and because he had him, he paid no attention to his affairs, except for the food he ate. Now Yosef was well-built and handsome as well.

Pharaoh said to his officials, "Can we find anyone else like him? The Spirit of God lives in him!"

So Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Since God has shown you all this - there is no one as discerning and wise as you -

you will be in charge of my household; all my people will be ruled by what you say. Only when I rule from my throne will I be greater than you."

Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Here, I place you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."

Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Yosef's hand, had him clothed in fine linen with a gold chain around his neck

and had him ride in his second best chariot; and they cried before him, "Bow down!" Thus he placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

Pharaoh said to Yosef, "I, Pharaoh, decree that without your approval no one is to raise his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt."

Adoniyah the son of Haggit was beginning to claim that he would be king; to this end he organized chariots and horsemen, with fifty men to run ahead of him.

(His father had never in his life confronted him by asking, "Why are you behaving this way?" Moreover, he was a very handsome man; he was born next after Avshalom.)

He conferred with Yo'av the son of Tz'ruyah and Evyatar the cohen; and they both supported Adoniyah.

But Tzadok the cohen, B'nayah the son of Y'hoyada, Natan the prophet, Shim'i, Re'i and David's elite guard were not on Adoniyah's side.

One day Adoniyah killed sheep, oxen and fattened calves at the Stone of Zochelet, by 'Ein-Rogel. He summoned all his brothers the king's sons, and all the men of Y'hudah the king's servants;

but he did not summon Natan the prophet, B'nayah, the elite guard or Shlomo his brother.

Natan went to Bat-Sheva the mother of Shlomo and said, "Haven't you heard that Adoniyah the son of Haggit has become king without the knowledge of David our lord?

Now, come, please let me give you advice, so that you can save both your own life and that of your son Shlomo.

Go, get in to see King David, and say to him, 'My lord, king, didn't you swear to your servant, "Your son Shlomo will be king after me; he will sit on my throne"? So why is Adoniyah king?'

Right then, while you are still talking with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm what you are saying."

Bat-Sheva went in to the king in his room. (The king was very old; Avishag the Shunamit was in attendance on the king.)

Bat-Sheva bowed, prostrating herself to the king. The king asked, "What do you want?"