Bible Calendar
2 Samuel 5 - 7 and Psalm 118
Today we get to one of the foundational readings to understand not only the Old Testament but the whole Bible.
It includes the confirmation of David as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-3); the decisive conquest of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-9; notice that it was conquered in Judges 1:8, but they could not occupy it according to Joshua 15:63 and Judges 1:21); the arrival of the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6) and above all, Yahweh's covenant with David (2 Samuel 7). After many years of waiting, Yahweh lays the foundations for the monarchy of His anointed one in His holy city. And the parameters through which the Israelites and Christians think of our relationship with the living God havejust been transformed.
David considers building a house for the ark of God (2 Samuel 7:1-2). But
Yahweh's grace is much greater than any blessing than David can give to Him;
instead, David receives the stunning news that Yahweh will establish a house for him (2 Samuel 7:11). He will raise up a descendant after him and will establish his reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16). This descendant will build a house for Yahweh (2 Samuel 7:13).
In part, this prophecy refers to David's descendant who will reign and build the temple in the next generation, Solomon. But the promises of a throne
established forever, an eternal throne, direct us to a physical descendant of David who is much greater than Solomon, one who will reign forever: Jesus Christ. And that's how we Christians understand the fulfillment of this covenant: it is partially fulfilled in the physical descendants of David who reigned in Jerusalem in the generations that we will read about in the Old Testament, but above all by the descendant of David who is called "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Revelation 17:14), "the root and the descendant of David" (Revelation 22:16), the One before whom every knee shall bow in the heavens and on the earth and under the earth, and of whom every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Jesus Christ is the King of whom these verses refer.
Therefore we Christians celebrate this news along with King David. After so many years of the downward spiral spiritually in the generations of the judges and of King Saul, Yahweh by His grace has revealed a covenant declaring the permanent stability of the just dominion of His anointed one. We confirm David's prayer: "You established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God. And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken" (2 Samuel 7:24-25).
Ken Kytle serves as pastor of Iglesia bautista La fe en Cristo near Atlanta, Georgia.
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