The Davidic Covenant

God’s plan of redemption became even more specific with His next major covenant, the covenant with David. It happened when David had at last consolidated his position as king over all Israel. Finally having time to think about something other than his enemies, David began to consider ways to show his gratitude to God. He reflected on the fact that he had an opulent palace in which to live, but that the ark of the covenant was still being kept in a tent, and he set his heart on building a temple for God.

The prophet Nathan was initially supportive of David’s plan. But God later came to Nathan with words for David. First, He reminded David that He had not asked for a temple, but He went on to say that there would be a temple, though David’s son, not David, would build it. Scripture elsewhere tells us that God’s reason for not allowing David to build the temple had to do with the blood he had shed as a warrior king (1 Chron. 22:8). But then God turned the tables on David and promised to build a house for him! What does this mean? God was saying that David’s son Solomon would follow him to the throne and would not be overthrown. Furthermore, God was saying “ ‘your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” In other words, God was going to make David the progenitor of an everlasting dynasty.

David’s line did indeed persist; even when the northern tribes of Israel broke away, Judah always had a descendant of David on its throne until the nation was taken into exile in Babylon. Then, after many years, God restored the Davidic kingship in magnificent fashion. The angel Gabriel came one day to tell a young virgin that she would bear a Son, to whom God would give “ ‘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’ ” (Luke 1:32b–33). Thus, when Jesus had completed His work of redemption, He ascended to His coronation. He sat down “at [God’s] right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:20b–21). God kept His covenant promise to David by sending his descendant to redeem all of God’s people.