Topical Bible: Covenant with David

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The Covenant with David, often referred to as the Davidic Covenant, is a significant biblical promise found in the Old Testament, primarily articulated in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. This covenant is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, establishing the foundation for the messianic hope that permeates the Scriptures.

Biblical Context and Content

The Davidic Covenant is established during the reign of King David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). After David had settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies, he expressed a desire to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant. However, God, through the prophet Nathan, revealed a different plan. Instead of David building a house for God, God promised to establish a house for David.

In 2 Samuel 7:12-16 , God declares: "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I moved out of your way. Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever."

Key Elements of the Covenant

1. Dynastic Promise: God promises David that his lineage will endure forever. This is not merely a promise of a long-lasting dynasty but an eternal one, indicating a perpetual kingdom.

2. Solomon and the Temple: The immediate fulfillment of the covenant is seen in Solomon, David's son, who builds the temple for the LORD. However, the ultimate fulfillment transcends Solomon, pointing to a future descendant.

3. Father-Son Relationship: The covenant establishes a unique relationship between God and the king, where God will be a Father to the king, and the king will be His son. This relationship underscores the divine favor and guidance bestowed upon the Davidic line.

4. Eternal Throne: The promise of an eternal throne is central to the covenant, signifying an everlasting kingdom that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.

Messianic Fulfillment

The Davidic Covenant is foundational to the messianic expectation in the Bible. The prophets, psalmists, and later New Testament writers see this covenant as pointing to the coming of the Messiah, who would be a descendant of David. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of a child born to us, a son given, whose government and peace will have no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. The genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 trace Jesus' lineage back to David, affirming His rightful place as the promised King. In Luke 1:32-33 , the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that her son Jesus "will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end."

Theological Significance

The Davidic Covenant underscores God's faithfulness and sovereign plan in redemptive history. It highlights the theme of God's unmerited favor and grace, as David, despite his imperfections, is chosen to be the progenitor of the eternal King. This covenant assures believers of God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who reigns eternally.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 7:12-16
And when your days be fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 17:11-14
And it shall come to pass, when your days be expired that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will raise up your seed after you, which shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
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2 Chronicles 6:16
Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; yet so that your children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as you have walked before me.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

4061. peritome -- circumcision
... ie the removal of the male foreskin in (the visible sign of God's covenant in the ...
the one prophesied to incarnate through the physical line of David (the tribe ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4061.htm - 7k

Library

Psalm 89:1. First Part. LM The Covenant Made with Christ; Or, the ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 89:1. First Part. LM The covenant
made with Christ; or, the true David. 1 For ever shall my ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 89 1 0 first part l.htm

Psalm 89 the Covenant Made with Christ; Or, the True David.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 89 The covenant made with Christ; or, The true
David. LM The covenant made with Christ; or, The true David. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 89 the covenant made.htm

David's Dying Song
... satisfying the mouth with good things"is to be found in the true believer, who is
satisfied from himself, satisfied with the covenant, Behold David: he says ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/davids dying song.htm

David the Outcast.
... my son David," he said, "Thou art more righteous than I, for thou hast rewarded
me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil," and he made a covenant with David. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxii david the outcast.htm

2 Sam. 23:4-5. Without Clouds.
... This is the great covenant which David had in view. ... Let us never forget the everlasting
covenant to which old David clung to the end of his days. ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xiv 2 sam 23 4-5.htm

His Covenant.
... "I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.".
"Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/his covenant.htm

Psalm 89:6. 30 &C. Fifth Part. The Covenant of Grace Unchangeable ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 89:6. 30 &c. Fifth Part. The covenant
of grace unchangeable; or, Afflictions without rejection. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 89 6 0 30 &c fifth.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... This shall be the sweetest note of all our music,"the covenant, "the covenant made
with David's Lord, in all things ordered well," the covenant with that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the blood of the covenant.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... Jonathan, in token of his covenant with David, "stripped himself of the robe that
was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

The Life of David Hackston of Rathillet.
... Upon which they chose David Hackston for their commander; but he absolutely ... be called
perjured, since he never took that sacrilegious covenant." Mr. Hackston ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of david hackston.htm