Covenant with David and his House
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The Covenant with David, often referred to as the Davidic Covenant, is a significant biblical promise found in the Old Testament, primarily articulated in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. This covenant is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel and holds profound theological implications for the understanding of God's redemptive plan.

Biblical Context and Content

The Davidic Covenant is established during the reign of King David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). After David had settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies, he expressed a desire to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant. However, God, through the prophet Nathan, revealed a different plan. Instead of David building a house for God, God promised to establish a house for David.

The key elements of the covenant are found in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 :

1. Dynastic Promise: "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom" (2 Samuel 7:12). This promise assures David that his lineage will continue and that his descendants will rule.

2. Establishment of the Kingdom: "He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" (2 Samuel 7:13). This refers to Solomon, David's son, who would build the temple, but it also points to a future, eternal kingdom.

3. Father-Son Relationship: "I will be his Father, and he will be My son" (2 Samuel 7:14). This indicates a special relationship between God and the Davidic king, emphasizing divine favor and guidance.

4. Enduring Throne: "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). This promise of an everlasting dynasty is central to the covenant and is seen as a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

Theological Significance

The Davidic Covenant is foundational for understanding the messianic hope in the Old Testament. It establishes the expectation of a future king from David's line who would bring about God's eternal kingdom. This hope is echoed throughout the prophetic literature, including Isaiah's prophecy of a child born to us, who will reign on David's throne (Isaiah 9:6-7).

In the New Testament, the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant is seen in Jesus Christ. The genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 trace Jesus' lineage back to David, affirming His rightful place as the promised King. The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary further confirms this: "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 1:32-33).

Covenant Characteristics

The Davidic Covenant is unconditional, meaning its fulfillment does not depend on human actions but solely on God's faithfulness. While individual kings from David's line may fail, the ultimate promise of an eternal kingdom remains secure in God's sovereign plan.

Historical Impact

The Davidic Covenant shaped Israel's national identity and religious expectations. It provided hope during times of exile and oppression, as the people awaited the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One, who would restore the kingdom and bring peace and justice.

Conclusion

The Covenant with David and his house is a cornerstone of biblical theology, linking the Old and New Testaments and pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It underscores God's faithfulness and the assurance of His eternal kingdom, offering hope and assurance to believers throughout the ages.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 23:5
Although my house be not so with God; yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
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Psalm 89:20-37
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
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Jeremiah 33:21
Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign on his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
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Library

David's Dying Song
... a special case, for these be the last words of David. ... so with God;" and as he winged
his flight to ... hast thou made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/davids dying song.htm

2 Samuel xxiii. 1-7.
... inviolable, because given by Him who keepeth covenant and mercy ... The object of David's
desires is, accordingly, his salvation, the glory of his house. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/2 samuel xxiii 1-7.htm

2 Sam. 23:4-5. Without Clouds.
... The covenant of God to which David refers as his comfort must mean that everlasting
agreement or counsel between the Three Persons of the Blessed ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xiv 2 sam 23 4-5.htm

How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with ...
... God pardoned David's sin, and did intimate the same to ... the sword did not depart from
his house till he ... faithfulness, or conclude that God's covenant doth not ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxvii how shall one.htm

The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
... But as for the covenant of grace, well David say of ... he not make it good?" It is a
sure covenant. ... put where I liked, I would undertake that his house would fall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood of the everlasting.htm

David's Charge to Solomon
... and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.2. Then David the king stood up upon
his feet, and ... build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/davids charge to solomon.htm

The First Touches on the Canvas.
... For this covenant is now all my comfort and all my desire, Although he has not yet
brought it to pass.". ... David's immediate heir found his father's pen ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the first touches on the.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... of the Decalogue, Solomon had followed the example of his father David. ... the priests
brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... himself if he should transgress his covenant, and should ... hast against my husband
and his house, for mildness ... to be our king." Accordingly, David accepted her ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

The Life of Mr. David Dickson.
... town and country to join in renewing the covenant; this brought ... gospel in 4to; on
the psalms of David in 8vo ... Latin and English, in 4to; and his prelectiones in ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr david 3.htm

Resources
What is Covenant Theology? | GotQuestions.org

What is new covenant theology? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Old Covenant? | GotQuestions.org

Covenant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Covenant

Covenant in Moab

Covenant of Circumcision

Covenant of God With Men: Binding

Covenant of God With Men: Broken by the Jews

Covenant of God With Men: Confirmed With an Oath

Covenant of God With Men: Everlasting

Covenant of God With Men: God Faithful To

Covenant of God With Men: Punishments for Breaking of

Covenant of God With Men: Repudiated by God on Account of Jews' Idolatry

Covenant of Man With God: Absalom

Covenant of Man With God: Asa

Covenant of Man With God: Israelites

Covenant of Man With God: Jacob

Covenant of Man With God: Jehoiada and Joash

Covenant of Man With God: Joshua

Covenant of Man With God: Josiah

Covenant of Man With God: Nehemiah

Covenant of Men With Men by a Monument

Covenant of Men With Men by Giving Presents

Covenant of Men With Men by Giving the Hand

Covenant of Men With Men by Making a Feast

Covenant of Men With Men by offering a Sacrifice

Covenant of Men With Men by Salting

Covenant of Men With Men: Breach of, Punished

Covenant of Men With Men: Loosing the Shoe

Covenant of Men With Men: Written and Sealed

Covenant of Salt

Covenant of the Levites

Covenant of the Sabbath

Covenant of the Ten Commandments

Covenant with Adam

Covenant with David

Covenant with David and his House

Covenant with his People

Covenant with Isaac

Covenant with Israel, at Horeb

Covenant with Phinehas

Covenant with the Israelites to Deliver Them from Egypt

Covenant: Abimelech and Isaac

Covenant: Abraham

Covenant: Abraham and Abimelech

Covenant: Ahab With Benhadad

Covenant: Binding

Covenant: Binding, not Only on Those Who Make Them, But on Those Who are Represented

Covenant: Blood of

Covenant: Book of

Covenant: Jacob

Covenant: Jacob and Laban

Covenant: Jews With Each Other, to Serve God

Covenant: Jonathan and David

Covenant: King Zedekiah and his Subjects

Covenant: Noah

Covenant: Sacred

Covenant: Subjects With Sovereign

Covenant: The Mosaic Law Called a Covenant

Covenant: The Second Covenant

Covenant: To be Confirmed

The Covenant is a Covenant of Peace

The Covenant is Everlasting

The Covenant is Unalterable

The Covenant: All Saints Interested In

The Covenant: Be Mindful of

The Covenant: Blessings Connected With

The Covenant: Caution Against Forgetting

The Covenant: Christ, the Mediator of

The Covenant: Christ, the Messenger of

The Covenant: Christ, the Substance of

The Covenant: Confirmed in Christ

The Covenant: Fulfilled in Christ

The Covenant: God is Ever Mindful of

The Covenant: God is Faithful To

The Covenant: Made With: Abraham

The Covenant: Made With: David

The Covenant: Made With: Isaac

The Covenant: Made With: Israel

The Covenant: Made With: Jacob

The Covenant: Plead, in Prayer

The Covenant: Punishment for Despising

The Covenant: Ratified by the Blood of Christ

The Covenant: Renewed Under the Gospel

The Covenant: The Wicked Have No Interest In

Related Terms

Covenant-victim (2 Occurrences)

Covenant-wife (1 Occurrence)

Covenant-blood (1 Occurrence)

Covenant-breakers (1 Occurrence)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Annul (10 Occurrences)

Confirmed (34 Occurrences)

Violate (14 Occurrences)

Keepest (16 Occurrences)

Disannul (3 Occurrences)

Declares (378 Occurrences)

Pledged (19 Occurrences)

Compact (6 Occurrences)

Spurn (13 Occurrences)

Circumcised (58 Occurrences)

Awful (20 Occurrences)

Agrarian

Mindful (39 Occurrences)

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)

Confirm (39 Occurrences)

Descendants (326 Occurrences)

Void (64 Occurrences)

Mercyseat (1 Occurrence)

Mercy-seat (23 Occurrences)

Profaned (43 Occurrences)

Platform (9 Occurrences)

Profaning (10 Occurrences)

Poured (155 Occurrences)

Baal-berith (2 Occurrences)

Baalberith (2 Occurrences)

Confederate (3 Occurrences)

Confirming (10 Occurrences)

Covenanted (7 Occurrences)

Altars (55 Occurrences)

Awesome (47 Occurrences)

Shebaniah (7 Occurrences)

Surety (21 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Basis (21 Occurrences)

Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)

Abhor (23 Occurrences)

Age-during (167 Occurrences)

Polluted (80 Occurrences)

Carrying (88 Occurrences)

Standeth (111 Occurrences)

Abimelech (63 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Cup (86 Occurrences)

Breaking (69 Occurrences)

Almighty (242 Occurrences)

Peoples (305 Occurrences)

Sworn (118 Occurrences)

Zealous (40 Occurrences)

Steadfast (194 Occurrences)

Passes (74 Occurrences)

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)

Blindness (7 Occurrences)

Maker (55 Occurrences)

Perpetual (57 Occurrences)

Despised (96 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Malachi (2 Occurrences)

Choose (116 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Shouldest (79 Occurrences)

Baal (94 Occurrences)

Alliance (12 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Statute (63 Occurrences)

Ahead (98 Occurrences)

Statutes (178 Occurrences)

Despise (64 Occurrences)

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)

Backslide

Carried (327 Occurrences)

Covenant with David
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