With Jesus on it. 2 Samuel 7.8-16
Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Samuel-Chronicles (3)
Pray Psalm 132.11, 12.
The LORD has sworn in truth to David;
He will not turn from it:
“I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
If your sons will keep My covenant
And My testimony which I shall teach them,
Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”
Sing Psalm 132.11, 12.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
Remember, LORD, the oath You swore to David;
do not turn back, do not deny Your Word:
“One of your sons, with your throne I will favor,
if he shall keep My cov’nant evermore,
and walk within My testimonies ever,
Thus he shall ever rule by Israel’s LORD.”
Read 2 Samuel 7.8-16; meditate on verse 16.
Preparation
1. What did God promise David?
2. What kind of Kingdom would this be?
Meditation
The mention of God’s having made David a “great name” (v. 9) is significant, for it harks back to the promise made to Abraham, that God would give him a great name (Gen. 12.1-3). God is not making a new covenant with David; rather, He is clarifying terms of His covenant previously mentioned, especially in Genesis 17.3-6, Genesis 49.8-11, and Deuteronomy 17.14-20.
We can see in our text the beginnings of the Davidic dynasty, the ups and downs of its history, and its culmination in an eternal Kingdom (vv. 13, 16) ruled by David’s offspring. We note, however, that it is David’s throne and not his offspring that will continue forever. For this to be the case, an eternal King must ascend that throne, and this King, of course, is Jesus.
David’s royal lineage culminates in Jesus, the Heir of David’s throne and the promised Shiloh and Law-taught King of previous revelation. The royal offspring of David will continue until the exile to Babylon in the 5th century BC. No king will assume the role upon Israel’s return to Jerusalem, and this naturally would have created anticipation among the people: “Where is the King Who is to come?”
Jesus fulfilled that role and inaugurated a Kingdom not of this world and unlike anything ever known because of the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit it brings to the world. And we are ambassadors of that Kingdom, having been conveyed into it by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our calling now is to seek that Kingdom as the defining priority and framework of our lives, drawing on the power of the Spirit and looking to the eternal glory of Jesus, exalted to the Father’s right hand (Ps. 110.1, Col. 3.1-3).
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Although this passage, on one level is about the question of an earthly building, God includes herein a promise to David, through Nathan, about a much grander Ruler-Redeemer, His Kingdom, and those who would inhabit it—even we who have been grafted in (Rom. 11.11-25).
David wanted to build God a dwelling place. One made with cedar, not one that could be carried from place to place. One with a firm foundation.
God’s message back to David was this: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you…moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously…Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house” (2 Sam. 7.8-10).
David needn’t have worried about building a house for God. God was building a house for David. And furthermore, about that dwelling for God? He had chosen David’s son Solomon for that task.
Our job is not to conjure up extra work for ourselves to do for God.
Our job is to do what God has already told us to do.
God does not need our help; He wants our obedience.
“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness…
Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you,
and you shall glorify Me” (Ps. 50.10-12, 14, 15).
And that house that He promised David, that throne to bless all mankind?
Jesus fulfilled that promise fully. Jesus is the culmination of the house of David.
“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end,
upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to order it and establish it with judgment and justice
from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Is. 9.7).
“And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and of His Kingdom there will be no end” (Lk. 1.33).
God is not asking us to build Him a house, either. He still doesn’t need anything.
But what God wants is the obedience of His children, and their love.
Nothing has changed.
But just look at the house He is building for us:
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I AM, there you may be also.
And where I go you know, and the way you know. I AM the way…” (Jn. 14.1-6).
He is the King, and He is the Way into His Kingdom. “A Kingdom not of this world and unlike anything ever known because of the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit it brings to the world. And we are ambassadors of that Kingdom…to seek that Kingdom as the defining priority and framework of our lives, drawing on the power of the Spirit and looking to the eternal glory of Jesus, exalted to the Father’s right hand.”
Reflection
1. How would you explain the Kingdom of God to a nonbelieving friend?
2. Why do you suppose Christians seem to have little awareness or experience of the Kingdom?
3. What does it mean to be an ambassador of the Kingdom of God?
The establishing of his house, his throne, and his kingdom for ever, can be applied to no other than to Christ and his kingdom: David’s house and kingdom long since came to an end. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Samuel 7.4-17
Pray Psalm 132.13-18.
Give thanks to the Lord for all His blessings and provision. Call on Him to clothe you with more of Christ’s salvation and to Guide you as you follow Jesus today.
Sing Psalm 132.13-18.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
God dwells among us, and He will forever,
to meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior—
Beloved, eternal light and resting place.
His foes are banished from His Presence ever,
but we shall reign with Him before His face.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Support for Scriptorium comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
