Where is the first reference in the Bible to the kingdom of God? I was reading I Samuel 2 yesterday, the part where Hannah is rejoicing because she had just given birth to Samuel, and I came across this in verse 10:

“Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

1 Samuel 2:9–10

Now remember, at this time Israel did not have a king. My first thought was that this was a prophetic reference to King Jesus and and His kingdom, that God would exalt Him above the kings of the earth.  I checked some commentaries and, sure enough, that seems to be the consensus. This verse anticipates the Davidic Monarchy but ultimately the kingdom of the Messiah, King Jesus.

There are earlier allusions to Jesus, such as in Genesis 3:15, but I know of know earlier reference to Jesus as a king, and hence to His kingdom.

Is this the first reference to King Jesus or His kingdom?  Do you know of any earlier reference? GS