The
Davidic Covenant
                                                                                      By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                      October 28, 2018
     "Remember the former things of old: for I  am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me.
     Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:..." Isaiah 46:9-10.  
Introduction
     The Davidic Covenant is likely the most overlooked and ignored prophecy in God's Word.  Most prophecy teachers never mention it as they teach and preach the prophecies of God's Word to God's people. Yet the Davidic Covenant is one of the most important end-time prophecies in the Bible.  The knowledge and correct understanding of the Davidic Covenant will help God's people to better understand the fulfillment of other end-time prophecies, and will certainly help in "rightly dividing the Word of truth," 2 Timothy 2:15.   
     Now let's carefully examine the inspired Scriptures recording the  Davidic Covenant.......
The Davidic Covenant
     This covenant is recorded twice in the Scriptures, first in 2 Samuel 7, and then a second time in 1 Chronicles 17.  Our readers should carefully study both of these inspired chapters, if they really want to know  about the Davidic Covenant, and how it fits into the fulfillment of end-time Bible prophecy........
The Background
     The lineage of David is recorded in the Book of Ruth 4:17-22.  But the first mention of David himself is found in 1 Samuel 16. Study this chapter, and the remainder of 1 Samuel carefully.   
     In this chapter, God had rejected Saul, the first king over Israel, and sent His prophet, Samuel, to the home of Jesse to anoint one of Jesse's sons to become the king over Israel.  David was the son Samuel was directed to anoint.  Then the remainder of 1 Samuel and the first six chapters of 2 Samuel record the life and exploits of David right up to the time that all of David's opposition and enemies had been put down, and he was reigning as King over Israel.  
     It is then in 2 Samuel 7, after God had given David and Israel rest from all their enemies, that the Lord God made a covenant with King David.  The details of this covenant are a fascinating study, both historically and prophetically.  So let's study them carefully.......
The Giving of the Covenant
     Everything recorded about David in the inspired Word of God, reveals that David was always devoted to loving and serving the God of Israel.  David's Mom and Dad must have loved God, and brought their children up in the love and fear of the Lord. The inspired word explicitly states that David was a man after God's own heart, 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22.  
     David must indeed have been such a man, for David's name is mentioned in God's Word more than any other person, other than the Lord God Himself.  Over a thousand times in the Old Testament, and some 60 [?] times or more in the New Testament.  And yet he is often overlooked, ignored, or neglected by those who study and preach Bible prophecy.  I pray that this study will help to enlighten the eyes of some to the important role of King David in God's Plan of the Ages.......  
David's Desire  
     Both accounts of the Lord's giving the Davidic Covenant tell us that David, in looking about his own fine house, expressed a desire to Nathan the prophet [one of David's sons] to build a house [Temple] for the Ark of the Covenant [a type of the Lord Himself] to dwell in.  Since the days of Moses, the Ark of the Covenant, typifying the Lord's presence among Israel, had first dwelt in the Tabernacle prepared by Moses, and then later in the Tabernacle prepared by David.   But David expressed his desire to Nathan the prophet to build a "house" for the Lord in the midst of the children of Israel.  
      That night the Lord's response to David's desire was given to Nathan in a vision.  Nathan then passed the Lord's response on to David.  
The Lord's First Response
     In His response to David's desire, the Lord told him, that He would "appoint a place" for the people of Israel, and "plant them," so that they would never have to move, nor be "afflicted" by "the children of wickedness" any more, 7:10.  What a grand prophecy!  
     Those who are careful students of Bible prophecy know that the "place" the Lord has chosen to plant Israel during this present dispensation, is back in their own ancient homeland, given to them as their "everlasting possession" some 3,500 years ago.  We believers living today saw this prophecy partially fulfilled, when  Israel was "planted" as a  nation again in their own ancient homeland in the month of May 1948, after an absence from their homeland of 1878 years.   1948 minus 70 A.D. = 1878 years.  Glory to God!  
     Since this prophecy has been partially fulfilled, Bible believers have every right to expect the rest of it to be fulfilled.  Today the enemies of Israel are doing everything they can to destroy Israel and the Jewish people, and drive them out of the holy land, but nothing they do will work.  The Lord God has "planted" Israel back in their land to stay!
While the people of Israel will have to flee during the future Tribulation, they will never again give up their land.  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!  
     The House of David
     Next the Lord told David that He would build David a "house."  The word as used here, and numerous times throughout the Bible, literally means that "the house of David" would be established as a "dynasty" in
 the nation among the people of Israel.  Right to this present day, the Jewish people still speak of "the house of David."  It hasn't been long since I received a report, stating that medical scientists among the Jews are attempting to determine the descendants of King David by checking the DNA of the Jewish people. Compare Psalm 89:20-21.  Praise the Lord!  The "house of David" yet has a role to play in fulfilling the prophecies of God's Word.  See Zechariah 12.  
      The "Seed" of David        
     Notice that the great prophecy of Israel's future restoration in 2 Samuel 7:10 precedes the promise that David's "seed" would build the Temple of the Lord, as recorded in 7:12-14.  Therefore the prophecy of the rebuilding of the Temple, was to be fulfilled only after the Lord God had regathered Israel, and "planted" them in their own land again.  In other words, sometime after 1948.    
     "And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy Seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish His kingdom.  
     He shall build an house for My name, and I will stablish the throne of His kingdom for ever.
     I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son.  If He commit iniquity, I will chastise Him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men," 7:12-14.   
     David,s son, Solomon, in reading this prophecy, apparently thought that he was the "seed" of David who would fulfill this prophecy,  But he was so wrong.  This prophecy was to be fulfilled by "the Son of God," 7:14.   Compare Isaiah 53.  
      Every true believer today who has seriously studied the Scriptures knows that this is a prophecy of the birth and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and who will build the Temple of God as prophesied in Ezekiel 40 - 48.  Christ was born to Mary, the virgin Jewess, Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-22; Luke 1:26-33; 2:1-14.  The geneaology of Christ is set forth in Matthew 1:1-17, clearly demonstrating that the Lord Jesus Christ in His humanity, was the "seed" of Abraham, the "seed" of David, the son of  the virgin Mary[Isaiah 7:14], the "Son of God," and the adopted Son of Joseph.  Studying this genealogy carefully will confirm that the race or nationality of Christ in His humanity, was Jewish, and that He was indeed "the Lion of the tribe of Judah," Revelation 5:5.  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!  
     It was also Christ Jesus, the sinless "Son of God," who "...knew no sin," who "was made sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him," 2 Corinthians 5:21.  In plain English, Christ Jesus was and is the Savior of all of fallen mankind upon the earth, who are willing to repent of their sin and believe on Him for salvation, Acts 16:30-31; 20:21.   Glory to God!
The Future of David
     After giving David this glorious promise about his "seed," the Lord God continued with His promises to David.  The Lord then gave to David the promise and prophecy set forth in 7:16, "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever."  
     In this inspired prophecy the Lord God told David that David's house, his Kingdoml, and his throne would be established before David "for ever."   The expression in this Scripture, "before thee," literally means "right before your eyes; before your person; before  your presence."  Look up the expression for yourself.  
Spiritual or Literal?
     Sadly, right here is where most commentators and prophecy preachers leave the literal truth set forth in the Davidic Covenant, and begin spiritualizing these promises given to David, applying their fulfillment totally to the Lord Jesus Christ.  This appears to satisfy many of God's people, but this misuse of language and grammatical construction never satisfied me.  This spiritualizing kite really won't fly!  
      The Davidic Covenant was not given to the Lord Jesus Christ, but was
explicitly given to King David.  The Lord Jesus is repeatedly given His own promises elsewhere in the Scriptures.  These prophecies being set forth in the Davidic Covenant were expressly given to King David.  
     The Lord God had already spoken about King David's death in 7:12, so there is no question about King David dying.  Such is clearly stated in 1 Kings 2:10.  To this present day, there is a monument in Jerusalem which the Jews refer to as "The Pillar of David."  Whether David's body is actually inside that monument, or buried elsewhere, is anyone's guess, for the monument is considered so sacred to the Jews, that they will not permit it to be opened.  
     Therefore, in literally fulfilling this promise to King David, the Lord God is going to resurrect King David and restore him to natural  physical life [without a "sin nature".....Joel 3:20-21].  Well, glory to God!  This is exactly to the letter what is prophesied about King David.  Read it for yourself in Jeremiah 30:9, "But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up unto them."  Praise the Lord!  Glory to God!  Believe it!  
The Time of David's Resurrection
     This inspired Scripture in Jer. 30:9 explicitly states that the Lord God is going to "raise up" [resurrect] David.  But when will this occur?  
     Remember that centuries ago the Lord God put "a difference" between the children of Israel and the Egyptians, who were Gentiles,  Exodus 11:7.  Therefore the prophecies that apply to Gentiles do not always apply to Israel, and vice versa.  The Scriptures confirm this truth when the subject of the resurrections is carefully studied.  
     Some of our readers, including some "prophecy preachers," do not realize that there are at least three distinct times [perhaps more] set forth in the Scriptures for the resurrection of believers to occur.....
     [1]   The "blessed hope" resurrection occurs at the coming of Christ "in the air" to rapture all true New Covenant believers to glory, as prophesied in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  
     [2]  The resurrection of believers saved during the seven year Tribulation period will occur following the Second Coming of Christ after the end of the Tribulation as prophesied in Revelation 20:4.  
     [3]    The resurrection of Old Testament believing Israel will occur at the middle of the Tribulation period as prophesied in Daniel 11:45 - 12:1-2.  It will be in this resurrection that King David will be resurrected, for he has an important role to fill beginning at that very time.
The Importance of Mid-Tribulation
     In carefully studying Bible prophecy relating to the Tribulation period, it is glaringly obvious that mid-Trib is an important dividing point.  
     Prior to mid-Trib the anti-christ is just a natural man like all other men; a powerful politician [likely a Communist] rising to power to become the first ruler of the One-World government which many in the U.N. are trying to set up right now.  Carefully study Revelation 6:2-8, Daniel 9:27, 11:21-45, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, and other similar Scriptures describing the future anti-christ.   
     But after mid-Trib the anti-christ will be a "beast" who has been killed and is restored to life by the indwelling spirit of Satan, Revelation 13:1-8.  He will slaughter all those who will have turned to Christ during the first half of the Tribulation, 13:7; Daniel 11:33; Rev. 20:4.  
     At mid-Trib, is when the anti-christ is restored to life, is also when he enters the Jewish Temple to proclaim himself to be God, 2 Thessalonians 2:4.  Then his image will be set up in the courtyard of the Jewish Temple, Rev. 13:13-14, and the Jewish people, refusing to worship his image, will have to flee in order to save their lives Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14.  
      And right at this same point in Bible prophecy is where King David enters the prophetic picture.  
 The Future Ministry of King David
     Why will King David be raised up [resurrected], and restored to natural, physical life?  Look back at David's life, look at Israel today, and then look to the prophecies of Israel's future.  
     From the time David was first anointed to become the ruler of the nation of Israel, David began fighting the enemies of Israel.  Under the leadership of David, the armies  of Israel won every battle against their enemies.  Not even one battle did Israel lose, while David was leading them.  David was brilliant as a military leader. David had only one problem.....King Saul.   
      Saul ruled before David became king, and was a type of the anti-christ, who will rule over mankind before Christ and David.  Saul was intensely jealous of David, because Saul knew that David had been anointed to be king over Israel.  Therefore Saul set out to kill David, and made attempts on David's life on several occasions.  Carefully study the accounts for yourself in 1 Samuel.  
     In reading the accounts of Saul's attempts to kill David, on one occasion David and his men fled for refuge to Sela [Petra], 1 Samuel 23:25-28, an abandoned natural rock fortress, today located in southern Jordan.    
       The  word "Sela," only occurs one time in the English Bible, and the word "Petra" never occurs.  The Hebrew word speaking of this place is generally translated as "rock," and it occurs 60 times in the Hebrew text.  One has to study the context to determine whether the English translation is speaking about this abandoned city, or just about a rock.  
     Sela, or Petra, as it is commonly called today, is a huge natural rock mountain, located in what is today Southern Jordan.  The whole huge mountain is sandstone, making it fairly easy to carve.  The ancient Nabateans, and later the ancient Edomites; the descendants of Esau, carved thousands of dwelling places into the sides of the mountain in what we call today, "a box canyon."  Archeologist who have carefully examined this abandoned city, state that it is large enough to hold and house from one to three million people.  
      In ancient times, Petra was the southern capitol city of the nation of Edom, while Bozrah was the northern capitol city.  The only entrance into Petra is a narrow crevice about a mile and half long, and only  12 feet in width at the widest places.  The walls of the crevice on each side rise straight up some 300 feet or more.   Thus a very small number of armed men could defend the city located in this box canyon against a large army.  The inspired Word clearly states that the Lord God, who only knows the end from the beginning, prepared this place for His people from ancient times, Revelation 12:6; 12:14.   
     Centuries ago, David and his men, when pursued by Saul, hid themselves in Petra.  So David has already been there, and is quite familiar with the place.  
      At the middle of the Tribulation, when Israel has to flee from the anti-christ, King David will take charge of the fleeing Israelites, and will lead them into Petra.  This is verified in the prophetic Word.   In Micah 2:12-13, Micah spoke of the time when Israel leaves Petra following the end of the Tribulation period.  Please carefully read this passage.  This passage in Micah is actually a prophecy of Israel leaving Petra as the Lord God Himself leads Israel to defeat and destroy their enemies, ending at Megiddo and the battle of Armageddon, thereby bringing the Tribulation to an end, Revelation 19:11-21.  These Scriptures in Micah give us the order in which the Jewish people will leave Petra to return to their homes at the end of the Tribulation.  Notice carefully 2:13.  The Lord Jesus Himself will lead the people out of Petra, with Israel's "king" following the Lord, and then the people following their "king."   
     Now every reader knows Israel doesn't have a king today.  But they are going to have one; King David himself, Jeremiah 30:9.            
      Under the leadership of King David, Zechariah 12:2-6 will be fulfilled, and all the nations presently around Israel will become terrified at the might and military strength of little Israel, and will speedily submit themselves to the leadership of Israel as the  superpower nation of the whole world.  
     Little David, and the Lord Jesus, are going to whip the pants right off  of  Goliath [the anti-christ] and his followers, and once again Israel and the whole world will finally know true lasting peace.   Oh glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!
The Order of Millennial and Eternal Authority
     The inspired prophecies of the Bible, when correctly studied and "rightly divided" by true believers, set forth the following order of authority for the Millennial reign of Christ, and for the Eternal Age to come.......
     For All of Mankind              ALMIGHTY GOD!
     For Israel.......
     King Jesus will rule over Israel and over the whole world "for ever," Luke 1:26-33; Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 43:1-7.   
     King David, serving under Christ, will rule over Israel "for ever," 2 Samuel 7:16.
     The Lord's twelve apostles, serving under Christ and David, will be judges over the twelve tribes of redeemed Israel, Matthew 19:27-28.  
     For the Gentile Nations.......Read the Parables of the Talents and the Pounds in Matthew 25 and Luke 19.  Every nation upon the earth will be ruled by a king; a redeemed believer, who has faithfully loved and served the Lord in this present life, and whom the Lord counts worthy to fill the position.   
     Every city upon the earth will have a king or judge; a redeemed believer who has faithfully loved and served the Lord in this present life, and whom the Lord counts worthy to fill the position.  

     "Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.......
     And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all," 1 Corinthians 15:24-27.  

     ".....Even so, come, Lord Jesus," Revelation 22:20.
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     Dear readers, I have barely skimmed over the Davidic Covenant in this study.  Please forgive me and pray for me.  In previous studies on this subject, I have wrote some 40 pages or more in detail, but I knew that most readers would not want to spend the time it would take to read all the details, so I simply scanned over the Davidic Covenant in this study.  I still pray that this briefer study will be enlightening and a blessing to every reader.  God bless you all!  
     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry, to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
     My personal contact information:
POSTAL.......Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 Co. Rd. 8120, Rolla, MO 65401
EMAIL..........francismriley34@gmail.com
PHONE........573-202-6493   
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