In the last issue we began to explore the second great theme of prophecy: The promises that God made to Abraham and his descendants. We left the chronology of these people at about the year 1040 B.C., the point where they clamored for a king—a man—to rule over them so they could be like other nations. After about 480 years of living with judges in the Promised Land that was given to them by the God of Abraham, they time and time again rejected God’s laws and covenant and turned to pagan idol worship. The final man to serve as judge of Israel was Samuel. God told him to agree to the demands of the people of Israel and let them have a king to rule over them. God said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Saul of the tribe of Benjamin was chosen as the first king of Israel. He reigned from his home town of Gibeah for 40 years.
The first years of Saul’s reign were successful. He won several wars and brought peace and prosperity to the land. However, Saul became filled with pride and stubbornness. After he ruled Israel for about 26 years, God sent Samuel to tell Saul that he was rejected and would be replaced. Samuel told Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23).
God told Samuel to anoint a new king—one chosen by God because he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). That man was David. He was the youngest of eight sons whose father was Jesse, a grandson of Boaz and Ruth. Samuel found him tending sheep outside of Bethlehem and, following God’s instructions, anointed him king of Israel. He did not become king right away. David would spend about a year in Saul’s army, then the next 13 years hiding and running from King Saul who was trying to kill him. During those years he wrote many of the poetic and beautiful prayers in the Book of Psalms. Following the death of Saul and three of his sons in a battle with the Philistines, David became king and reigned over all the tribes of Israel for 40 years.
Now let us continue with one of the most fascinating stories ever told . . .
THE DAVIDIC COVENANT
King David fought several wars and made some serious mistakes but, overall, was a good ruler and righteous king. God made a covenant—a solemn promise—with David like the one made with Abraham. God made it unconditional and unbreakable. David wanted to build a temple for God in Jerusalem, but God did not let him. The temple was to be built by the next king of Israel, his son Solomon. David asked God about building a temple in Jerusalem. Almighty God gave David a reply through the prophet Nathan: “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his [Solomon’s] kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13).
Notice that the throne of David was to be established forever! It was not conditional. What if Solomon or some other king on that throne were to sin terribly? God’s answer is given: “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (verses 14-16).
Not only was that throne established forever, it was to exist continuously through all generations! Psalm 89 reminds us of this promise: “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: ‘Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations’” (Psalm 89:3-4).
God even says that the covenant with David is as permanent as the sun and moon in the sky! “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” (Psalm 89:34-37). Think of that next time you see the moon at night!
After the death of Solomon, the nation of Israel split into two separate nations, Israel and Judah. Just before the nation of Judah was conquered by Babylon and taken into captivity, God’s prophet Jeremiah reminded them of God’s promise of a permanent throne. “For thus says the LORD: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel . . . Thus says the Lord: ‘If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne” (Jeremiah 33:17, 20-21).
When Jesus Christ returns to rule this Earth, He will rule from an existing throne—the Throne of David! The angel Gabriel told Mary, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33). What an incredible thing to hear! When Jesus returns to Earth, the throne of David and the people of Israel will be here waiting for him. He will rule over all 12 tribes and indeed the entire world. The promise given to Abraham carried down through Judah and David will be fulfilled!
Where is that throne today? It is not hiding somewhere. In fact, it is the throne of the British Empire, currently held by Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in the history of the throne. Many historical records in Ireland, England and Scotland provide details of the rich history of the migration of the people of Israel to those lands. For more information on this subject, see our Ebooklet, The Throne of Britain.