THE POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLE PROPHECY

DAVIDIC COVENANT

THE DAVIDIC COVENANT is hinted at in God’s covenant with Abraham        ( Genesis 12:1-3 ), stated early in Psalm 89 and 2 Samuel 7, and progressively developed through out the rest of the Old testament. It’s reveal Gods eternal plan for his people, the nations of Israel.

The Lord said to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation” ( Genesis 12:2 NASB ). Later He said, “I will greatly blessed you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore” (22:17 ). From Abraham’s seed( plural ) would come a Seed ( singular ) who would secure the blessing for all of Abraham descendants. The  seed is the son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Davidic Covenant includes many issues that are important in the study of Bible Prophecy. Will a literal kingdom exist on the earth? Is the Church the Kingdom? Does the Church replaces the nation of Israel? Is Christ the Messiah of Israel in particular or simply the leader of the church in general? Will Israel be regathered and restored, and will David be co-ruler with the Lord Jesus Christ?

A FAMILY OF KINGS

When God rejected Saul as King of Israel of Israel ( 1 Samuel 16:1 ), He said to Samuel” I have selected a king for myself among” the son of Jesse, the father of David. Saul himself said to David, “You are more righteous than I” (24:17), and he concluded, “Now, behold I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand” (24:20 ).

After Saul’s death, the Lord gave David a promise through His prophet Nathan. God said that David’s son Solomon “Shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13 ). The Lord added, “your house and your kingdom shall endure before me for ever” ( 7:16 ). This promise is the basis of the Davidic Covenant. David’s “house” is a reference to his family lineage. David’s “throne” symbolizes his family ruler-ship over the Kingdom of Israel. The Kingdom includes the people and their land.Subsequent generation of Israelites in both the old and new testament knew this promise and accepted it literally: Only through the family of David would kings come to rule in Israel.

Psalm 89 rehearses the Davidic Covenant. The Lord says, ” I have made a Covenant with my chosen;I have sworn to David my Covenant, I will established your seed for ever and build up your throne to all generations”(89:3-4 ). David is God chosen(89:19 ), His servant, and his anointed ( 89:20 ) David would have a strong one  ( David horn ) who would come out of his loins and be exalted ( 89:24). This Horn would cry to God, You are my father, My God, and the rock of my salvation” (89:26). He would be the Lord First born, the highest of the king of the earth” ( 89:27). The Lord adds, “So I will establish [ David’s Seed ] forever, and his throne as the days of Heaven” (89:29).