The Davidic Covenant – Part III The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets & the New Testament

Essence of the Davidic Covenant God promised to give David a great name, and, under David’s leadership as king, to provide a secure place for the nation of Israel to dwell, in accordance with the original promises of the Abrahamic Covenant. Yahweh also promised that a descendant of David would build the Temple that David himself had wanted to build, and that the Davidic dynasty would endure forever. David would never lack a man to sit upon God’s throne in Jerusalem.

What We Have Covered So Far The key passage on the Davidic Covenant: 2 Sam 7. The relationship between the Davidic Covenant and the other covenants that have preceded it. Three of the ten royal psalms (Psa 2, 72, and 89) that presuppose the Davidic Covenant and reflect back upon it, longing for the Davidic king to rule on God’s behalf.

The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets The Latter Prophets confirm this hope of a future Davidic ruler who will rule the people in perfect righteousness. Let’s look at a sample of explicit references to the Davidic Covenant in these Prophets.

The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this (Isa 9:6-7). Isaiah is ministering prior to the exile, 739 – 681 BC.

The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets “Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it. And it shall come about on that day,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I will break his yoke from off their neck, and will tear off their bonds; and strangers shall no longer make them their slaves. But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them” (Jer 30:7-9). Jeremiah is ministering before, during, and after the exile, 627 – 574 BC.

The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In those days Judah shall be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she shall be called: the LORD is our righteousness.” For thus says the LORD, “David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel” (Jer 33:14-17).

The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets Thus says the LORD, “If you can break My covenant for the day, and My covenant for the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levitical priests, My ministers” (Jer 33:20-21).

The Davidic Covenant in the Latter Prophets “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd” (Ezek 34:23). “And My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances, and keep My statutes, and observe them” (Ezek 37:24). Ezekiel is ministering during and after the exile, 597 – 559 BC.

The Davidic Covenant in the NT The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as this perfect ruler. Both Matthew and Luke trace His lineage through the line of David (Matt 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). Note Zechariah’s prophecy after his tongue was loosed: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant” (Luke 1:68-69). And Gabriel’s prediction to Mary before the child was born: And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end" (Luke 1:30-33).

The Davidic Covenant in the NT God testified that Jesus was the ultimate Davidic messiah when He raised Him from the dead (Acts 13:13-33; Rom 1:1-4). Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 1:1-4). Acts 13 is Paul preaching at Antioch

Is Christ Now Ruling from the Davidic Throne in Heaven? No! Christ is indeed now at the Father’s right hand and will be there until the appointed time of His return (Acts 3:19-21; Rev 3:21). David’s throne is on the earth, in the “beloved city,” Jerusalem. It is to this city that Christ will return and rule.

Christ’s Earthly Throne “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne” (Matt 25:31). And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:17).

Next Week: The New Covenant – Part I Jer 31:31-34