Day 125, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Psalm 18; 2Samuel 22; 2Samuel 8:15-18; 1Chronicles 18:14-17; 2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17 (Note: Psalm 18 and 2Samuel 22 are almost identical and so are 2Samuel 7 and 1Chronicles 17. The reason is unclear. Perhaps they were written to two separate audiences)
A Glorious Promise
Sometimes, we are the benefactors of glorious promises. For a young lady, her glorious hope begins when she becomes engaged to be married. Or, in another scenario, a young man is ecstatic when he learns that an opportunity he has always wanted is available for him.
In today’s Bible reading, The LORD makes a glorious promise to King David. What would it mean for David, and what does it mean for us?
When David has victory over his enemies and settles in his palace, he wants to do something for God. The LORD’s presence still resides in a tent. Shouldn’t he have a glorious temple, a place of worship worthy of his magnificence?
David confides his thoughts to the prophet Nathan, and the prophet tells him to do it. But God isn’t complaining—he doesn’t want a gigantic worship center right now.
In a strange turn of events, at the same time David expresses a desire to build a house for God, the LORD declares he will build a house for David (2Samuel 7:5-9, NIV). Is God referring to making a palace for him? No, David already has that. The house he is speaking of is a lasting dynasty.
The Davidic Covenant
In this covenant, God makes four promises to King David.
1. The LORD will make David’s name great, “like the names of the greatest men of the earth” (2Samuel 7:9, NIV). This promise is still valid, for most Christian and many non-Christian nations have heard of King David.
2. The land of Canaan will be Israel’s forever, and they will have peace (2Samuel 7:10-11). For a while, when David is reigning as king, they have peace, but not forever. And, later in history, they would lose their land. Why? What happened? Did God change his mind? Stay tuned; we will find answers later in this Bible study.
3. David’s descendants will sit on his throne forever (2Samuel 7:12-13,16). Again, as Jewish history reveals, there were no more descendants of David reigning after Babylon exiled them from the land. Why or why not? Again, answers will come later.4. One of his sons (Solomon) will build a temple to the LORD after David dies.
The Davidic Covenant will be a fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:6-8). The LORD told Abraham that he will make kings come out of him and give the entire land of Canaan as an everlasting possession to him and his descendants. But this still has not been fulfilled. Why? The answer is next.
The Suspension of the Covenant
Has God failed to keep his promise to King David? No. At Solomon’s dedication of the temple, God tells him,
As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, “You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.”
But if you [The Hebrew word for “you” is plural] or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you [plural] and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. (1Kings 9:4-7, NIV)
This is what would happen to the Israelites. Their nation would divide into two, and Israel and Judah would turn away from the LORD. They would become evil idol worshippers and corrupt. Then, their enemies would exile them to foreign lands.
After seventy years, according to God’s promise, King Cyrus of Persia would allow the Jews to return to their homeland. However, they would have no more Israelite kings but be a vassal nation.
Many countries would occupy the land of Israel, and it would be war-torn. It has only been since 1948 that Israel has once again become a recognized nation. Still, there has been no Davidic king in Israel.
If God made an everlasting covenant and then took it away, how can it be permanent? Here is the answer.
The Renewal of the Covenant
God would suspend his promise until Christ would be born as a son (descendent) of David (Zechariah 14:9-11). We know the Christmas story.When Jesus would become a man, he would be an inspirational teacher and miracle worker. Then, one-day immense crowds would usher him into Jerusalem to make him king. It wouldn’t happen. Influenced by their religious leaders, the Jewish people would soon turn on Jesus. He would be rejected and then crucified.
Three days later, this uncrowned king would arise from the dead, much to the amazement of everyone. After forty more days of ministry on the earth, Jesus would ascend to his heavenly Father.
When Jesus returns, he will rule and reign forever over a restored land of Israel, and there will be everlasting peace (Isaiah 66:12; Jeremiah 46:27; Ezekiel 37:26).God doesn’t fail in any of his promises, but his holy character doesn’t allow him to reward evil behavior. Instead, he suspends the fulfillment of them until a future day. Don’t we do the same thing with our children? If we promised something, don’t have a right to suspend the fulfillment of it if they misbehave?
What does David’s covenant have to do with us?
Although the LORD gave the Davidic Covenant a long time ago, it still affects us. Jesus Christ is the son (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:1; 21:9). He promises eternal life to all who believe in him (more...), and he promises the faithful that they will rule and reign with him in his kingdom (2Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:9-10; 20:6; 22:5).Our part in the Davidic Covenant is to accept Jesus Christ as our king. He is our savior, the forgiver of our sins and rewarder of those who are faithful.
David was humbled and overjoyed with God’s covenant. He trusted the Sovereign LORD to fulfill his glorious promises to him and the nation of Israel.
We should also be humbled and overjoyed that God has chosen us, who have a personal relationship with him, to be a part of his kingdom. We can trust the LORD to fulfill his glorious promises.
Focus Verse
2Samuel 7:28 (NIV) “O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.”
Discussion
Briefly, what are the four parts of the Davidic Covenant?
Why has God not brought about the fulfillment of his promises to David? Will they ever be fulfilled? When?
How does the Davidic Covenant relate to us? What is our part?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: David is overwhelmed by God's faithfulness. What does the LORD require of David and us? Find out in our next lesson.
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