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 great and glorious promises. For a young lady, her glorious hope begins when she becomes engaged to be married. Another adult is ecstatic when he learns that an opportunity he has always wanted is guaranteed. In today’s Bible reading, The LORD makes a glorious promise to King David. What did 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. Should he not have a glorious temple, a place of worship worthy of his greatness? David confides his thoughts to the prophet Nathan, and the prophet tells him to go ahead and do it. But God is not complaining—he does not want a gigantic worship center right now. In a strange turn of events, at the same time that 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 This is a set of four promises given to King David. 1. God 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 the great 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 do have peace but not forever. What then does God mean? 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 whole land of Canaan as an everlasting possession to him and his descendants. But, this still has not been fulfilled. Why? You guessed it—the answer will come later. Suspension of the Covenant Has God failed to keep his covenant? 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. (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. Later, 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? Renewal of the Covenant God would suspend his promise until Christ comes as a son (descendent) of David (Zechariah 14:9-11). We know the Christmas story. When he becomes a man, Jesus would be a great teacher and miracle worker. Then one-day, huge crowds would usher him into Jerusalem to make him king. It would not 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. Jesus is with his Father now. 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 does not fail in any of his promises, but his character does not allow him to reward the wicked. Instead, he suspends the fulfillment of them until a future day. Do we not do the same thing with our children and teens? If we promised something, do we not have a right to suspend the fulfillment of that promise 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 genuinely 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 that we must accept Jesus Christ as our king, our savior. He is the forgiver of our sins and rewarder of those who are faithful. David is humbled and overjoyed with God’s covenant. He trusts 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: Enter your prayer here: Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com Looking Ahead: David is overwhelmed by God's Faithfulness. What does the LORD require of David and us? Find out in our Next Lesson. Previous Lesson  |  Next Lesson Back to top of page Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page Go to Scriptures main page Go to Topics main page Go to Home page page last re-edited 5-5-2021

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