The Throne of David
—And God’s oath to David
Time ~ 5. Kingdom of David
Span ~ 120 years
Books ~ 2Samuel, 1Kings, 1Chronicles, Poetry
Figures ~ Saul, David, Solomon
Begins with ~ The people of Israel seek a king
Our study of the times of Israel now brings us to when David takes the throne. In this lesson we follow more of David's adventures, but we are giving most of our attention to this promise about his throne and what it means.
1 The Throne Promise
God promises king David, "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before you forever. Your throne will be established forever" (2Samuel 7:16).
Peter, centuries later, preached about this promise. He claims that David understood the promise to refer to the Christ who, after his death and resurrection, would sit on the throne and rule from heaven (Acts 2:22-36).
So we see God's wonderful plan unfolding.
It was already being prepared for, and being foreshadowed, in the earlier Times of Israel.
Now, as David sits on his throne in Jerusalem, he likewise represents the Christ who will be raised up to reign from heaven.
2 Bible Summary (2 Samuel 1-10)
- Identical or similar accounts are given in 1Chronicles 11-19.
- David hears of Saul's death, executes the Amalekite who claimed that he killed Saul (1) [The Amalekites story was untrue. See 1Samuel 31, 1Chronicles 10]
- David's poem of lament over Saul (1)
- David anointed king of Judah at Hebron (2)
- Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, made king over Israel at Manahaim (2)
- The armies of Joab who are for David, fight in Gibeon against the armies of Abner who are for Ish-Bosheth (2)
- Ashael chases Abner. Ashael and 19 other of David's men die, but 360 die of Ish-Bosheth's men (2)
- Hostilities continue. House of David prevails (3)
- Abner defects to David's side (3)
- Michal is given back to David; Paltiel weeps (3)
- Joab murders Abner. David curses Joab and mourns Abner (3)
- David becomes king of all Israel from Daniel to Beersheba. The split in Israel is healed for the time being. (5)
- List of David's supporters (5)
- David captures Jerusalem and reigns there (5)
- Hiram king of Tyre makes peace with David (5)
- David defeats the Philistines (5)
- The ark of the covenant moved to Jerusalem. Uzzah dies. (6)
- David dances to celebrate. Michal despises him (6)
- David desires to build a house for God (7)
- God's promise to David, and David's prayer to God (7)
- David has victories everywhere and is a good king (8)
- David's kind gesture to Mephibosheth (9)
- New king of the Ammonites humilates David's diplomats (10)
- Joab and Abishai defend Israel against the mercenaries of the Ammonites, and win peace (10)
3 God’s Oath
"The LORD has truly sworn to David, and will not turn back from it, 'The fruit of your body I will set upon your throne'" (Psalms 132:11).
"I have made a covenant with my chosen; I have sworn to David my servant, 'I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne to all generations'" (Psalms 89:3-4).
Through Nathan the prophet God tells David, "When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before you forever. Your throne shall be established forever" (2Samuel 7:12 13,16).
Isaiah says, 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 shall 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 and uphold it with justice and righteousness, from then on and for ever more. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
David's Faith
Peter, centuries later, preached about this promise. He claims that David “knew” what had been promised and sworn to him, and he “looked ahead” to its fulfillment and “spoke” of it. David understood and believed that Christ, after his death and resurrection, would sit on the throne and rule from heaven (Acts 2:22-36).
NOTE The throne of David and the throne of the LORD are one and the same throne. [ Compare 1Kings 2:12 and 1Chronicles 29:23 ] Jesus fulfilled the prophecies that the Christ would sit on David's throne, yet he said, "I have sat down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21).