When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who 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…
2 Samuel 7:12-14a

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He 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 Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:31-33

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How do you feel about the coming election? Even if you are not excited about the candidates, at least be glad you have a say. Also, remember, an undesirable president can only be in office for eight years. In contrast, imagine living under a king who rules for a lifetime. Imagine wondering if the son who inherits the throne will be worthy of the position.

Succession is relevant to today’s topic, the Davidic Covenant. God made two key promises to David. David would have a son who would rule after him, and his kingdom would be established forever. David’s son Solomon benefited greatly from this covenant. God nearly stripped him of power due to his spiritual adultery, but He relented because of His promise to David. This was the first fulfillment of the covenant.

Generations later, devastated by their exile to Babylon, the Israelites lamented over the second promise of the covenant. Had God renounced His pledge that the house of David would rule forever? How could David’s kingdom endure now that they had been conquered and did not have a land to rule?

God had not renounced His promise to David; He deferred it. The Davidic Covenant did not release Israel from the consequences of breaking the Mosaic Covenant. The Israelites had agreed to the terms of the Mosaic Covenant. If they obeyed God’s commands, He would bless them more than any other nation. If not, they would be exiled. Unfaithful kings led the people into idolatry, so they lost the land.

To spark hope, God inspired the prophets to speak of a righteous branch from David’s line who would restore Israel. This anointed King (Messiah) would fulfill God’s promise to David. The people of Israel expected a human king whose successors would never be unseated. Yet, we know Jesus is David’s descendent, the Son of God, who is establishing His everlasting kingdom. He is the righteous King who will restore everything and rule with perfect justice.

If you feel God has not kept a promise, remember He does things in His timing. While you wait, put your hope in Him rather than the promise. God’s plan is often much grander than you could have imagined. 

Next Steps

Psalm 89 is about the Davidic Covenant. As you read it, notice the flow from praise to lament. How does the Psalm end? It is perfectly fine to lament to God. Just be sure to hang on to praise even when it feels hollow. With time, your hope in God will pay off, and your faith will strengthen.

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