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David’s Throne Established Forever

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: 2 Samuel 7-8

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Journey thought the Bible (55)

The United Kingdom (9)

Tonight we continue our “Journey through the Bible”.  We are continuing a study of the 9^th (of 17) periods of Bible history, the United Kingdom.  We are studying the life of David as king over all Isreal.  In our last lesson, we addressed David conquering Jerusalem and establishing that as the place of his throne.  We also noted that he transported the Ark of the Covenant into that city.  We pick up tonight with one of the key passages of the Old Testament.

1. The Text
   1. 7:1- David is dwelling in his own house, likely for awhile. While Israel is still dealing with enemies around him (2 Samuel 8), they are subduing them, gaining strength and respect.  Our text mentions he had rest from them (NOTE: This could be a  few years later in David’s reign).
   2. 7:2—3 – he contemplates how blessed he really is by God and asks Nathan (he THINKS he is seeking authority from YHWH) to build a permanent place for the ark of God. Nathan replies, Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.  (NOTE: 1 Chronicles 17:2 uses the word God [Elohim] in place of LORD [YHWH]).  If you read through the 2 accounts you will find them very similar, but there is slight variations in wording throughout the accounts.)
   3. 7:4-7 – BUT that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and changed the plans. He was instructed to go and speak to David noting: 1) He had dwelt in tent since leaving Egypt (Mt. Sinai) which moved from place to place. 2) When had He ever said, Why have you not built me a house of cedar? He had not!
   4. 7:8-11 – continuing, David was to be told, that YHWH took Him from being a shepherd to making him ruler over Israel. He had been with him, cut off his enemies and made his name great, like the great men who were on earth.  YHWH also declared He would appoint for Himself a place for Israel, and plant them so that they would move no more.   They would be protected from wicked enemies unlike the times since the judges (we have seen constant struggle in our historical studies).
   5. 7:11-15 – the LORD then declared that David would rest with his fathers and his son would build the house for God. His throne would be established forever.  God would be with him and he would be His son.  IF he committed iniquity he would be chastised, “But My mercy will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul.”  NOTE: Later, as David instructs Solomon (not here named) about building the temple he explains why he would not build it – 1 Chronicles 22 will record David making preparations for building the temple and he tells Solomon (1 Chorn. 22:6-9) that he could not build it because he was a man of war and had shed much blood.
   6. 7:16-17 – KEY OT VERSE! And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” Nathan told David what the LORD had said.
   7. 7:18-29 – David replied with humility in a prayer. Who am I, O LORD God?  He notes his unworthiness and blessings. Noting God’s greatness, he acknowledges that his house will be established for a great while to come.  He acknowledges that God knows him and is grateful that He has made known these great things.  22 – You are great, O LORD God, for there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You…”  He then acknowledges how He had blessed all of Israel, His people, “the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name”, having redeemed them from Egypt and their gods.  Daivd notes that YHWH is their God.  Vs. 25, he requests, the words spoken concerning him and his house, may they be established forever and do as He had said.  He concludes asking that His blessings be on his house forever.
   8. 8:1-14 (1 Chorn. 1:1-13) records some of David’s conquests. Likely, this is a summary of some of what David had accomplished up until that time and perhaps beyond. The account speaks of subduing the Philistines (they were never totally defeated by Israel, but they were brought under control and limited to their territory by David and Solomon); He defeated Moab – executing some and making others servants; defeated Hadadezer recovering territory to the river Euphrates, decimating his army.  NOTE vs. 4 – how David hamstrung most of their horses (700, 1 Chron. 18:4 notes 7,000) destroyed their chariots and defeated 20,000 foot soldiers (Why? Joshua 11:6, 9, recall also Deuteronomy 17:16 – a king was not to multiply horses – likely this had to do with trusting in God to protect and deliver them); David also defeated the Syrians of Damascus, killing 22, 000 and put garrisons in Syria.  They were put under tribute to David, including large amounts of gold and bronze.  We are told that Toi, king of Hamath greeted and blessed David also with great tribute for defeating Syria (their enemy as well).  David took the “gifts” and dedicated them to the LORD.  Other defeated nations included Ammon, Amalek, etc. He also dealt with Edom and they became his servants.
   9. 8:15-18 describes the administration of David over all Israel with justice for all the people. Joab was his commander, Jehoshaphat his recorder (record keeper), Zadok and Ahimelech were the priests, and Seraiah was his scribe.  His sons and others also ruled over people.
2. Lessons from our text
   1. This is a key passage of the Old Testament. There are 5 key passages in the Old Testament:
      1. Genesis 3 – the fall of man
      2. Genesis 12:1-3 – the promise to Abraham
      3. Exodus 20:1-17 – the giving of the 10 commandments at Mt. Sinai
      4. 2 Samuel 7 – the throne promise made to David
      5. Jeremiah 31;31-34 – a new covenant is coming.
   2. WHY is this a key passage? This is the passage where God vows to establish the throne of David forever.  It is from this text that we find Jesus ultimately fulfilling that promise.  The LORD emphasized 3 things in His declaration to David through Nathan.
      1. David’s son would build the house he wanted to build – it will happen with Solomon.
      2. David’s dynasty will be established. For about 400 years after David, his dynasty will continue until Judah falls to Babylon in 586 BC. Every king of Judah will be a succession (with a few challenges).  We will see this as we proceed in our study.  NOTE: Recall in Genesis 49:10 as Jacob blessed Judah, he spoke of the scepter not departing from Judah until Shiloh comes.  This is interesting as the LORD told Israel they did not need a king (obviously, this had to do with timing). IT is also worthy of note that God built into His promise faithfulness – those who disobeyed would be chastised (2 Sam. 7:14)
      3. His throne and kingdom would be established forever. This is what was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
      4. Psalm 89:2-4 – a contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite. IT concerns the promise to David.  This seed and throne promise made to David is mentioned. Later in that psalm,  My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” (89:34-37)  NOTE: In these psalms, we can see that Israel UNDERSTOOD the promise that was made to David.  They knew it was important.
      5. Psalm 16:8-11, another psalm of David where in hope he declares that God will keep His promise even after he dies. Furthermore David speaks in hope of resurrection both for himself AND for one who would sit on his throne.  Peter quotes this psalm in Acts 2:22-31 – Peter quotes these verse and while we do not know how much he understood, based on what Peter says David have spiritual insight concerning the promise about his throne.
      6. Psalm 132:11 – this psalm does not identify the author. But it is a psalm about the efforts of David (vs. 1-5) to find a place for the house of God where the ark of the covenant would rest.  Note vs. 10-11, For Your servant David’s sake, Do not turn away the face of Your Anointed. 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.  Concerning this psalm, Acts 2:30, Peter quotes from it about David and attributes it to him as a prophet.  The point he is making is that Jesus was the one who fulfilled that promise. Acts 2:32-36.
      7. Psalm 110:1-4 – Peter then quotes from another psalm of David, Psalm 110:1 where David understands God was speaking of a future different king. NOTE: It is also in this psalm where David will make reference to Melchizedek (110:4) which the Hebrew writer emphasizes.
      8. Much more could be said about this through the prophets – Jeremiah spoke of how God would raise up a Branch of righteousness to David (Jer. 23:5). Then there is Luke 1:32-33, when Gabriel appeared to Mary he announced that Jesus would be given the throne of David.  THE point of all these prophetic psalms and passages – the throne promise to David was more than his physical dynasty.  It was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
      9. That is why this is a KEY passage.
   3. How grateful are you toward God? We see David looking at his life and realizes how blessed he is. He had a rough life leading up to his reign, but he was not bitter.  He was grateful to God.  We must always be grateful for our blessings.
   4. We need God’s authority for all that we do. While we have noted this in numerous lessons through our journeys, here it is powerfully emphasized.  David asks Nathan, who prematurely gives permission.  NOTE: When a leader gives you advice contrary to God’s will, who will you follow?
   5. God’s ways are not our ways. Isiah 55:8-9 – While God grants David’s request, it is an entirely different way.  We need to trust His timing.
   6. David, in humility, acknowledges that he is God’s servant. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are servants of our Lord. Do we act faithfully in that?
   7. God blesses those who are faithful to Him – we see that in David.
   8. The legacy of a godly life – David’s life is a testament to godliness (we know he was not perfect, next lesson), but he was faithful and godly. How will we be remembered?

And thus we have examined a key event in the life of David.  The way he lived his life, prepared him for this occasion. `His is a demonstration of faithfulness to God that we ought to seek to imitate.  God has made us promises if we will be faithful to Him.  What about you? Are you standing on His promises?  Think about it!