The king in the field is an idea that the Alter Rebbe suggests to answer the following question: If the 13 attributes of divine mercy are shining the entire month of Elul and not just on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, why isn't the whole thing Yuntif?
To this the Alter Rebbe brings an allegory. Imagine the entire year the king is secluded in his palace or on official foreign policy trips. At the end of the year, the king returns from his trips and walks amongst the people in the fields on his way back to the palace. Everyone goes out to greet the king. The king's clothing is not as regal, he's in a good mood and anyone and everyone can approach him and ask for what they need or tell the king what's on their mind.
When the king reaches the palace, that is Rosh Hashana. The king is once again secluded yet this is the time of year we actually enter the palace to approach the king in majestic splendor.
That is the end of the basic allegory from the Alter Rebbe.
Chassidus further explains in regards to Yom Kippur:
Neila means "closing the doors" its a private moment with just you and the king. The highest level of your soul to the essence of Hashem. A very deep intense moment...
You might ask, "how can every soul have a private moment with Hashem at the same time?" In answer, there are no time, space and enlivening light issues with the infinite... Besides, in the essence as the soul is part Hashem so the souls are as one as well. It is a communal singularity, we share the moment on a personal, internal level as well as on a broader klal Yisrael level. They don't have to contradict. We are as one with those in shul around us and one with all the Jews all around the world. The higher you reach, the more one everything becomes.
The Zohar hakadosh actually uses a similar allegory that appears as an extension of this idea when speaking about Sukkos. Sukkos is like a time when the king, still in royal garb, takes a chair and sits at the entrance to the palace. The king is once again approachable by all but this time in the palace atmosphere. Perhaps that is why it is considered by the Zohar a time when you can change the divine decree decided during Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and can call back the kings messenger who carries it up until Hoshana Rabba.
So you get in good with the king in Elul, come in front of him for judgment during the high holidays and approach him on his lawn chair to entreat a favor on Sukkos.
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