David was a man after the LORD’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14).
When David desired in his heart to build a house for God to replace his tent, God made him a promise.
“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.” – 2 Samuel 7:12-13
God promised that David’s house would be established forever in his kingdom. A son of David would reign as king for ever.
This was a grand promise seeing as the last king of Israel was cut off due to his disobedience (1 Sam 15:22-23). What if David or his son commits some iniquity, would they be cut off like Saul?
“If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.” – 2 Samuel 7:14-15
Due to God’s promise for a son of David to sit on the throne forever, David was guaranteed mercy. No sin could undermine God’s unconditional promise of an eternal house from David.
Isaiah called this the “sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3). What mercy! There is hardly anything like it before the dispensation of God’s grace.
His house would never die. His sins would not be imputed unto him in order for God to fulfill his forever promise (Ps 32:1-2).
“And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” – 2 Samuel 7:16
A Resurrection Promise
Inherent in this promise is the promise of resurrection from the dead. For the son of David to reign for ever, he would need to avoid the chains of death that plagued every man.
For David’s throne to last, his house could not end childless, faithless, and subject to curse and corruption.
This hope of resurrection life for the messianic son of David is why the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David said:
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” – Psalm 16:10
The same Holy Ghost through Peter explains that David was speaking of Jesus Christ when he spoke of the resurrection of the Holy One of his house.
“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” – Acts 2:31-32
Christ rose from the dead to fulfill God’s covenant with David for a throne that would be established forever. David’s house would live on. The mercies were made sure in Christ.
A Mystery Revealed
Then, Christ revealed a mystery to the apostle Paul dispensing his grace to all.
Paul taught that anyone who trusted the gospel of the grace of God could be put into the body of Christ and receive the benefits of eternal life that existed in the resurrected seed of David.
From sure mercies to grace given! Paul preached greater grace now offered freely to all who believe (Acts 13:38-39; Eph 3:1-2)!
“But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” – Romans 4:24
What was promised to David was fulfilled in Christ for a hidden purpose according to the mystery. Now all men who are in Christ are given eternal life through Jesus Christ.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
While Christ fulfilled the promise of the sure mercies to David by his resurrection, his purpose in resurrection was for the sure salvation by grace to all who believe.
This is something Paul exhorts us to always remember.
“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:” – 2 Timothy 2:8
Article Index Published: November 11, 2017
Last Modified: October 15, 2019