Devotion 8. A Promise to David (Part 1)

2 Samuel 7 tells the story of David’s desire to build a temple, or house, for the Lord. David had entered a period of great success. He had peace from his enemies. He built himself a house fit for a king. The Lord did not let David build the Lord’s house. But he did promise He would make David a house (2 Samuel 7:11). In this case, “house” means “dynasty” or “line”. The Lord went on to promise David his line and his throne would be established forever. David may have not understood the full ramifications of this word, but he seemed to comprehend a lot of it. He said “For you, O Lord God, have spoken and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”

With this further revelation to his people, God narrowed the focus on the coming Messiah. First, They only knew he would be a man born from a woman. Next they knew he would be a physical descendant of Abraham, a Hebrew. Then they were told he would be from the tribe or line of Judah. Now they knew he would come from the house or line of David.

The Israelites understood this word to be prophetic of the Messiah. Isaiah wrote “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7). Jeremiah 23:5 says “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”

Ezekiel 34:24 says “And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.” David was long dead by then, so Ezekiel referred to his descendant, the Messiah. Amos 9:11 says “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old…” There are many other passages which demonstrate this knowledge.

Matthew began his gospel, written to Jews, by proving that Jesus was the son of David (Matthew 1:1). He did this because he knew no Jew would read a book about someone claiming to the Messiah unless he knew that person was David’s descendant. Matthew also recorded several events where Jews acknowledged Jesus as the Son of David. Here are a few.

When Jesus healed two blind men, they first approached him and cried out “Have mercy on us, Son of David” (Matthew 9:27).

In Matthew 12:23, Jesus healed a demon possessed man who was blind and mute and “…all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” During the triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21:15, the crowds shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

In Matthew 22:42, the children in the temple cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Finally, the disciples themselves acknowledged it. Jesus said “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” (Matthew 22:42.

Since you are probably not a Jew, the concept of Jesus as the Son of David might not mean much to you. But it is important for a couple of reasons. First, it again shows that God intended to send Jesus when he did and where he did. He did not wake up one day and decide he needed to do something to get things back on track. Second, it shows God kept his word to David through many centuries. Third, it shows that David was a type of Christ. A type is a figure that is not exactly the same but tells us about something about someone or something in the future. David reigned as king over God’s people. Because he largely obeyed God, he brought peace and prosperity to the nation. Jesus now reigns over God’s people, blessing us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places as he reigns now from heaven.

That brings us to the next devotion: the office of king.