The Davidic Covenant

Intro

Typical Welcome Stuff...

Alright guys, let’s get into it tonight.

Tonight we are at, what is probably for us as Christians, the most important story in all of King David’s life.

Now, I know that might be a big statement, but It can be backed up in scripture. You see, think of all the stories you know of King David. David and Goliath, David and Bathsheba, David dancing before the ark (like we covered last week)…those are big ones…and ones we’ve mostly covered so far.

But of all of them, even though it’s not as widely discussed…this is the most important. We see it that way, and in fact, David saw it that way as well. I want to give you guys a bit of a challenge…over the course of the next year or two…as you read through the Psalms…keep your eyes open for David talking about what we are talking about tonight…I think you guys will see pretty quickly just how important this moment was in David’s life…but that’s enough talking. Here’s what I want to do tonight.

Give some context.

Read the Passage to help you know where we are.

Explain the concept of covenants.

Explain the Davidic covenant and its significance.

Explain why you should care.

You got all that, okay, let’s get into it.

So…turn in your bibles to 2 Samuel 7.

So, some context.

There isn’t much. If you’re looking in your bibles, you’re gonna see that we are picking up right where we left off...

Alright, so let’s Read the Passage

2 Samuel 7:1–17 ESV

1 Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” 4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ’ 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

Alright, before I explain a whole bunch of what’s going on here…let’s establish this idea of a covenenat.

What is a covenant?

Simply Put, here’s the definition:

An agreement between two parties that specifies requirements for at least one party, and includes blessing and curses for obedience or failure. It is typically ratified by swearing an oath.

Why is it important for us to understand the definition of Covenant? Because that’s how God works...

God works through covenants.

Covenants reveal who God is.

The Davidic Covenant Reveals:

God is not selfish (v. 1-7)

God is intimate (v.8-9)

God is a protector (v.10-11)

God is gracious (v.12-17)

Above All: God is just absolutely astounding (All the verses)

Our Response is Gratitude.