A Person After God’s Own Heart: Session 8 – The Sure Mercies of David

Notes: 

The Sure Mercies of David    See Session Slides Here

This chapter 2 Samuel 7, is about the Davidic covenant. It has great significance for Israel and the Church.

 In his years of exile David vowed to build a house for God (Psa.132:1-5). Bringing back the ark was the first step to this. It troubled David that he dwelt in comfort in a house of stone with cedar paneling and God’s ark dwelt in a tent. He shared his burden with Nathan, who encouraged him to do what was in his heart.

  • God sent Nathan back to David with this message: At no time had He ever asked a tribe or individual to build Him a house. God had another plan for David. He wanted him to defeat their enemies and establish peace for the nation. He wanted him to unite the nation and be a caring leader, a shepherd to Israel.
  • Solomon would build the temple once there was peace. David accepted this graciously (1 Kings 8:18).
  • Then God entered into a covenant with David promising to build him a house (i.e. dynasty), 2 Sam.7:11,16
  • ‘House’ is mentioned 15 times. First, David’s palace, then the temple, then the spiritual house God would build through David’s Son, the Messiah. David’s palace and Solomon’s temple would eventually be destroyed. But the house God builds will last forever (Psa.89:34-37).
  • The house God purposed to build through David would be offered to the world, (Isa.55:1-3).
  • Regardless of how low David and the kings of Judah stooped, God was faithful to preserve the light of Israel. Examples – Solomon: (2 Sam.7:13-15). Rehoboam: (1 Kings 11:36). Abijam: (1 Kings 15:4). Jehoram: (2 Kings 8:19;  2 Chronicles 21:7). This illustrates how sure the mercies of God through David are.

 

  • The Davidic covenant supports the Abrahamic covenant, which is the supreme covenant. God promised Abraham a land, a natural seed, blessing, protection, etc. But also He promised blessing to the whole world through His ‘Seed’ (singular) Gal.3. God reinforces all this but specifies that this Seed would be the Son of David. (See Isa.9:6-7; Isa.16:5; Lk.1:32-33, 69; Acts 13:34, 38-39;  2 Timothy 2:8; Rev.5:5; Jer. 33:15-17).
  • The throne of David ended in 586BC. The last king officially was Jeconiah, (Jer. 22:30). When Jeconiah was taken into captivity the throne was vacant and there was a promise and a curse. The promise was that the Messiah would come from the seed of David. The curse was the literal seed of Jeconiah, the royal line of David, could not ascend the throne again.
  • This is proof positive that only one person could ever be the Messiah – Jesus Christ. His royal lineage came from Joseph. But He was not of Joseph’s seed therefore He could not inherit the curse. His humanity came from Mary who was also of the seed of David. As the son of Mary He was really and truly David’s seed. But because Mary married Joseph, Jesus was brought into the position of firstborn and heir to Joseph without being of his flesh.
  • If he were just Joseph’s son, i.e. his flesh and blood, He would be excluded from the throne because of the curse. Yet, if He were just Mary’s seed He would be a son of David, but not of royal lineage branch of David’s family. The unique combination of Joseph and Mary made Jesus the literal seed of David and direct heir to the throne.

 

  • The covenant was unconditional. All that David had to do was accept it and let God work.
  • In response, David went and sat before the Lord in the tabernacle of David (2 Sam.7:18).

 

Application

  • God has said HE would build His Church. You and I may build a palace or a temple, but only God can build the Church.
  • God removed the temple. Jesus even threatened to remove local churches. But God is building a kingdom which cannot be shaken.
  • When we connect lives to Christ, the Son of David, what we build is forever.