Why is the snake referred to as the "lords of life" and "king in exile"?

1. The snake has been rightly called the 'Lord of Life' because it is a creature of God and deserves to be treated with respect. It is also a dangerous and poisonous creature on whom the life of a person depends. 

2. These lines draw a comparison between the snake and the king. Just like when a king is banished or expelled from a kingdom, man is responsible for sending away the snake. Man is the sole reason for separating the snake from its natural habitat. The case of the snake is same with that of the king because just as an exiled king comes back with vengeance in his heart, the snake would also come back from the underworld someday soon.