In Bible times, nothing was considered a higher honor than being allowed to stand in a king’s
presence. To “see the king’s face” meant favor, acceptance, and blessing. Absalom felt this deeply when he said, “Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me” (2 Samuel 14:32). The Queen of Sheba spoke similarly when she said to Solomon, “Happy are your men . . . who stand continually before you” (1 Kings 10:8). And in the book of Esther, the seven princes of Persia were the ones “who had access to
the king’s presence” (Esther 1:14). 

If seeing an earthly king was a privilege, how much greater is the promise Jesus gives: “Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).”