Abdicate

To abdicate means to give up power, especially the power of king or queen over the people. It is often used in reference to Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne of England to marry an American divorcee. In the Old Testament King David secured the succession of his son Solomon to the throne by his own abdication, commanding that Solomon be anointed ruler over Israel and over Judah, and ipso facto officially lord and ruler over himself as well (1 Kings 1:5-48; Psalm 110:1).