THE DAVIDIC COVENANT “FOREVER”

PMW 2024-004 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

The Davidic Covenant states that Israel is God’s people forever (2 Sam. 7:24), and that David’s throne is established forever (vv. 13, 16, 25, 29).

We must understand, though, that the very nature of a covenant implies conditions and responsibilities, whether these are stated or not — despite the Davidic Covenant’s seeming unconditionality. Nothing in the Davidic Covenant declare that Israel’s king is freed from the obligation to obey God’s law. Indeed, it is very clear that: (1) God declares that the Davidic dynasty would continue only if it obeys God (e.g., 1 Kgs. 9:4–9; Psa. 132:11–12) and (2) the Davidic line was, in fact, removed from rule about 450 years after David, when the southern kingdom of Judah was defeated by the Babylonians (2 Kgs. 24:11–15).

Nevertheless, the genealogical line of David’s descendants continues until Jesus is born (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 1:27; Rom. 1:3–4; Rev. 5:5; 22:16). The covenant is then finally fulfilled in Jesus, who rules from heaven over his spiritual kingdom, rather than from Jerusalem over a geo-political kingdom (Luke 1:32; Acts 2:25–36; 1 Pet. 3:22). And his rule will be forever, because he will never fail to be faithful to God (Luke 1:33).

Not only so, but Israel as the people of God is both: (1) expanded in the NT and (2) will return to God before history ends. We see this expanded definition of Israel in the NT when the Gentiles are brought in among God’s people. They become the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16; cp. Rom. 9:6), “the circumcision” (Phil. 3:3; cp. Gal. 6:15), the “seed of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7, 29), and so forth. We expect Israel’s revival in that “all the nations” (including Israel!) will be discipled (Matt. 28:18–19), the world (as a system of all nations) will be saved (John 3:17; 1 John 2:2), Jesus will draw “all men” to himself (John 12:32), and Paul speaks of “all Israel” being saved after Gentiles come in to the kingdom in large numbers (Rom. 11:11–26).

Thus, the “forever” nature of David’s kingship looks to the rule of Christ which begins in the New Testament.

Israel in the Bible and History (9 mp3 lectures)

by Ken Gentry
The people of Israel are the people of God. But the modern church is divided over the nature, call and identity of Israel. This lecture series covers key issues for understanding the biblical concept of Israel.

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com