THE DAVIDIC COVENANT
We all have preconceived ideas! We can’t help it–they are in our minds already!!!
Thus, one of the disciplines of Bible-believing faith is letting the Bible reveal truth to us–to replace our own concepts and ideas with God’s true perspectives.
This means not just adjusting our thinking to accommodate the Bible (which is our temptation!), but let our understanding be transformed by what God has revealed.
A classic example is the concept of “Kingdom”. I wonder where your mind naturally goes when you hear that word…?
Bible-believing faith calls us to seek where the Bible introduces the concept of “Kingdom”. Where does the Bible begin its development of this term? What is the context? Who is involved?
And it is quite clear. First the terms “King” and “Kingdom” become a major theme, and then this significantly moves to David’s kingdom, where God makes a covenant with David that extends not just into the future but forever. It is through the Davidic Covenant that God defines the biblical concept of “King” and “Kingdom”. It is intended to transform our human concepts to conform to the Biblical concept.
A true Bible-revealed view of the Davidic Covenant is so important today. It gives a clear picture of God’s purpose for Israel (mentioned specifically in the passage…), and also declares what we can expect from Jesus the Messiah when He returns to fulfil this important covenant.
The Context of Kingdom: The Books of Samuel and Kings
Until the Book of Samuel, the only use of “Kingdom” is regarding “kingdoms of the world”. But from 1 Samuel 10:16 the term becomes a significant theme applied to God’s purpose. As 1 Samuel develops, the term “Kingdom” is applied to Saul and a literal, earthly picture of “Kingdom” is presented. This becomes hugely significant because we read that God’s intention is to make the Kingdom of Israel a Kingdom that is forever–through Saul if he had proven faithful– “the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Sam 13:13). Wow! Israel is not a side project–she is God’s kingdom project!!
By the end of 1 Samuel, it is clear that God has rejected Saul as king and chosen another to be king, “that the kingdom of Israel shall be established.” (1 Sam 24:20). So, God’s intention of the “kingdom over Israel forever” has not changed. This is seen in God’s choice of David, and the covenant He makes with David.
The Covenant of King David: 2 Samuel 7
What a passage! And how clearly declared! The words and grammar convey a literal meaning–there is no need to move to metaphor here. What God intends is clear, and the timeframe is just as clear– “forever”!
Verses 12-16 give the emphasis on David’s Kingdom. Because of the “forever” promises made regarding it, David’s Kingdom must be the expression of the future “Kingdom of God”. It anchors our understanding of the Kingdom of God in the Kingdom of Israel.
After David has died (v.12a) God will establish his Kingdom (v.12b). God will establish the throne of David’s descendants forever (v.13). If they commit iniquity God will chasten (v.14) but God will never remove His covenant (v.15). The term here is ‘chesed’–God’s merciful, covenant love. Then in verse 16 God declares what will be established forever (“forever” is mentioned twice in the verse…):
· David’s house
· David’s kingdom
· David’s throne
Again, note the emphasis that it is David’s house, kingdom and throne that become the basis for God’s forever kingdom. It is founded on David’s line of descendants (“house”), David’s realm of authority (“kingdom”) and David’s place of ruling (“throne”). This is a prophetic vision declared by God through Nathan the prophet (v.17).
So, we have been given a clear biblical concept of kingdom–fixed forever in a covenant of God that cannot change.
So, we have been given a clear biblical concept of kingdom–fixed forever in a covenant of God that cannot change. It specifically notes that iniquity will not change this (v.14). Psalm 89 affirms this covenant (vv.27-37)–noting that “God will not alter the words that have gone out of his mouth.”
So, have you locked in a picture of biblical kingdom? This makes sense of why so much text is devoted to the kings of Israel. Even in disobedience Israel shows God’s clear kingdom intention. They also show the desperate need of a pure king (impossible among the kings of men!), and the need of a redeemed people–also key themes of the kingdom of God!!!
Before we leave 2 Samuel 7, we must note what it highlights specifically about Israel (vv.23-26). Here the uniqueness of the nation of Israel is declared (v.23a)—they are the one nation on earth God redeemed for Himself (v.23b), God’s name is tied to them (v.23c). They are God’s “very own people forever” (v.24). And then verse 26–God’s name is magnified forever by being God over Israel. God will show His sovereignty when he removes the disgrace of Israel across the world and shows His power to deliver the impossible–a redeemed people that the world has abandoned as “problematic” (to put it mildly…).
So, 2 Samuel 7 reveals two essential connections between the kingdom of God and the Covenant-Kingdom of David…
1. David’s Kingdom is declared to be forever.
2. Israel is declared to be forever.
If you want to understand God’s kingdom that will last forever, this is the covenant that reveals how the Davidic Kingdom is central.
By fulfilling these, God’s name will be the amazement and glory of the world. If you want to understand God’s kingdom that will last forever, this is the covenant that reveals how the Davidic Kingdom is central. In plain language it is revealed in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7.
The Consistent Message to the Church
The Gospel makes it clear the King of the Davidic Kingdom has come (Mt 1:1; Rom 1:3) and speaks of him fulfilling the expectations of the Davidic Covenant: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:32-33). After teaching for 40 days on the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3) the disciples’ expectation of a restored kingdom to Israel had not changed—“Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:)—their question was simply, “When will it happen?” Their expectation was according to the Davidic Covenant.
The Apostle Peter affirms it will be after the church era, “Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up.” (Acts 15:14-16). The church era “agrees” with the ancient prophets–the expectation of the Davidic Covenant.
The New Testament nowhere relates the Davidic Covenant to the church. Christ’s future kingly reign is not allegorized to refer to His leadership over the church. The Book of Hebrews applies the New Covenant to the church era, but not the Davidic Covenant.
The Clear Expectation: When Messiah Returns!
Some final verses to whet your appetite for what is ahead….!
Matthew 25:31 says that it is when Messiah returns that He will sit on the throne of His glory. This aligns with Psalm 110 which says He will be seated at the right hand of God until He claims Zion as the place of His authority (“the sceptre of strength”). The present is His priestly role (Ps 110:4; Hebrews 8:1) but note what is still to come; Hebrews 10:12-13, “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.” This refers to Psalm 110:1-2 when He will descend from the right hand of God, make His enemies His footstool, then rule out of Zion with His sceptre of strength (Ps 110:2). This will be the fulfilment of the Davidic Covenant.
Revelation 3:21 affirms the distinction between Messiah sitting on the Davidic throne on earth and God’s throne in heaven. Jesus promises “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Currently Messiah is on His Father’s throne in heaven, awaiting the fulfilment of the Davidic Kingdom promised in the Davidic Covenant…that will be forever.
Can you see how this anchors the ongoing importance of Israel? It is through Israel that God’s name will be permanently magnified when the Davidic Covenant is no longer prophecy but reality before the world and all spiritual powers!
A final thought: since God sent His Son to become a literal, human descendant of David (wow!), surely this perfectly sets up all the rest of the Davidic Covenant expectations–of a Davidic house, kingdom and throne–forever! Biblically it is clear, that what will actually take place in the future is a restored Davidic Kingdom just as the Davidic Covenant declares.
The Coming Kingdom is a thorough work clearly putting on display the beginning, rise, and actual coming of the kingdom described in the Bible. Also, importantly, Dr. Woods calls attention to many of the misuses of the kingdom that have become popular trends within contemporary Evangelicalism. This application of the implications of a wrong theology of the kingdom is greatly needed for both pastor and laymen alike.
Paperback, 423 pages, Code: BP053
