History of Human Government (13) - David and Jesus

Nathan’s promise to David was fulfilled by Jesus. He descended from David through Mary. Gabriel’s prophecy to Mary was similar to God’s promise to David through Nathan.

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name 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 the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:31-33)

Jesus would establish the Kingdom that was promised to David. He established the kingdom of God, which will last forever.

God was Jesus father and Jesus was the father’s son, just as Nathan prophesied.

I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men (2 Sam 7:14).

Solomon was not the son of God, so this promise was not fulfilled in him. However, because bible translators have assumed that this applied to Solomon, they have translated it in correctly. This was actually a messianic promise. The son of God would not do wrong, but he would be punished with the rod that should be born by all men. He would be inflicted with the flogging that all men deserve. This promise was fulfilled by Jesus before he went to the cross.

The kingship claimed by David’s descendents was actually promised to Jesus.

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever (2 Sam 7:16).

This promise was not fulfilled through Solomon and his descendents. Nathan was looking forward to the kingdom that Jesus would establish. It will endure for ever.

David had a good heart and good used him to accomplish his purposes, but he did not intend to establish a dynasty of kings through him. This was confirmed when his descendents led Israel away from God. Government by kings was not God’s plan for Israel. He used some kings, because he is gracious, but they were not his ideal government.

The Jews have never fully understood David’s calling. He was a military commander raised up to lead the nation in battle against their enemies. This was temporary role only needed when the people had repented and opened up the way for God to throw of the shackles of their oppressors (see Judges 2:10-19).