Once settled as King of Israel David revealed one of his greatest longings – to build a literal House/Temple for God. However God made it quite clear that he did not wish David to engage in such a project. But then God, through the prophet Nathan, completely turned the tables on David by announcing that He would build a “house” for him – “a dynasty of kings!” (2 Samuel 7:11 – NLT). Furthermore, God promised that this house and dynasty would be everlasting.
The promise to David, recorded in 2nd Samuel 7, is a classic example of the double meaning we often find in the prophetic promises of God. Although this promise would be fulfilled initially in and through David’s son Solomon, the man God did appoint to build a literal temple, it also makes clear reference to the coming Messiah – “For when you (David) die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house – a temple – 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 – 14 – NLT)
As we have said, Solomon later built the first great Temple in Jerusalem. But the house of the Messiah, the one whose Kingdom and throne will last forever, is by far the most important revelation in this passage. Furthermore, the assurance – “I will be his father. And he will be my son…” was, I suggest, the impetus for David’s seeking, a short time later, to be a father to Mephibosheth.*
Of course all that we have said is not simply conjecture. On the day of Pentecost Peter’s preaching on this and other similar scriptures resulted in thousands of Jews recognising Jesus as their true Messiah! Using Psalm 16 and other scriptures including 2 Samuel: 7, Peter declares – “Dear brothers, think about this! David wasn’t referring to himself when he spoke these words I have quoted, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on David’s throne as the Messiah. David was looking into the future and predicting the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that the Messiah would not be left among the dead and that his body would not rot in the grave. This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this. Now he sits on the throne of highest honour in heaven, at God’s right hand.” (Acts 2: 29 – 33 – NLT).
On that day thousands of Jewish people became believers in the Messiah – Jesus. They saw him on the throne of David – not an earthly throne – but a heavenly one. And, as they gazed upon him through freshly opened eyes, they also had a first glimpse of “The House” he came to establish!
To be continued …
* See my booklet – “Mephibosheth, Heart of an Orphan, Heritage of a King” You can download it free by CLICKING HERE.
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