Year 1, Week 37, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations
Year 1, Week 37, Day 2
I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17.
Today’s reading consists of two chapters that cover the same historical event. 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17 parallel each other as they describe the historical setting of the Davidic Covenant. David’s kingship over all of Israel had been clearly established: “Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies” (2 Samuel 7:1). David considered his next action by replacing the Tabernacle with a more permanent structure: “the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent” (2 Samuel 7:2). What David proposed sounded good to Nathan the Prophet, but later that evening, the LORD appeared to Nathan and disclosed much bigger plans for both His own house as well as for the house of David. David praised the LORD in response to the LORD’s plans: "And now, O LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, and your name will be established and magnified forever” (1 Chronicles 17:23-24a).
One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the LORD’s establishment of a covenant with David: “You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations” (Psalm 89:3-4). This covenant that the LORD made with David plays a key role in the outworking of the LORD’s unfolding plans. First of all, it should be noted that the term covenant does not explicitly appear in either 2 Samuel or 1 Chronicles. However, the concept of a covenant is described in today’s passages. Coupled with the fact that elsewhere the Scriptures use the term covenant with what was stated to David, it seems plain to understand that today’s reading describes what is known as the Davidic Covenant.
The LORD unfolds the redemptive purposes of His Kingdom through the series of covenants that run through the Bible. The Davidic Covenant reaches back and is connected to the previous covenants that the LORD made with Adam, Noah, and Abraham, as well as to the Mosaic Covenant. Each additional covenant builds on the previous covenant as new revelatory truths are unfolded. The Davidic Covenant also stretches forward and is connected to the New Covenant, which, in Christ Jesus, fills each and every covenant up with its ultimate fulfillments.
The context for the Davidic Covenant is worked out as David is prompted to build a house for the LORD, that is, a permanent Temple. But the LORD does not want David to build Him a house: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in” (1 Chronicles 17:4). Instead, the LORD promises to build a house for David, that is a perpetual dynasty of kings: “Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom” (2 Samuel 7:11b-12). A descendant from the line of David will not only build a house for the LORD, but the LORD will establish His throne forever: “He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever” (2 Chronicles 17:12-14).
The truest realization of the Davidic Covenant (as well as all the covenants) comes to fruition in Christ Jesus. The promise of a house or dynasty for David is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16, see also Romans 1:3-4; Matthew 1:1, 21:9). While there are facets of Jesus’ fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the covenant itself reached its conclusion in Christ as the King who has come from the line of David. The promise of a house or Temple for God is also fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who comes to earth as the Temple of God: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14); and after His ascension, He fills His church with the His Spirit: “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).
The LORD’s Words to David work themselves out as the storyline of the Scriptures continues to unfold. The importance of God’s Words are not lost on David. He pleads for the LORD to do all that He had promised: “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. And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you” (2 Samuel 7:25-26). David also praises the LORD for all that He had promised to do: “There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears” (1 Chronicles 17:20).
What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?
Pastor Joe