Davidic Covenant

2 Samuel 7

The Background

2 Samuel 7:2

The Problem David perceives

· I (David) dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent

· The ark of God represented God’s presence with the people of Israel

· David seems to be questioning the appropriateness of “God’s presence” residing in a tent when He was dwelling in a palace 

· His solution appears to be a desire to upgrade the accommodations of the ark of God. If He was living in a palace, God’s presence should at least have the same.

· “Did the tent that David gave to ark of God give proper honor to the true King in this kingdom”? – Stackhouse p. 200

o The conclusion David and Nathan come to is that new accommodation in necessary

· God never implies that the tent is an inappropriate place for the symbol of His presence to dwell.  He had journeyed this way with His people through their time of wandering and travel so why would he need a permanent “house” built now? 

The application

· Sometimes what we presume to be right is not what God would desire/want, how often do our instincts and intuitions mislead us? 

· Building a house for the ark seemed right to David, but he was wrong as this was not what God desired. “how often do we as Christian people have devised projects that seem to us to be honoring God?” – Stackhouse p. 204

· “What we do to honor God must arise from obedience to his word, not from our instincts and intuitions, however good they seem. Responding rightly to God is the most important thing in life”. – Stackhouse p. 204

The Covenant

· Although similar/essentially the same to the Abrahamic covenant it is now expressed in a way that clearly shows the promise will involve a king and a kingdom that would last forever.  Jesus is the one who is being promised. 

· The promise consider the past (v 6-9), the present (v. 9-11) and the future (v. 11-16)

· The idea of building a “house” for the Lord was not for David to initiate it was for the Lord Himself to propose and institute. 

· David seems to think that the goal of his life had been reached he had arrived

o Verses 5-7 give a picture of David believing that the people are no longer moving around like they were use to, they are now settled in one place and their enemies are no more, in a sense he might think “we have arrived”, lets put roots here and set up a permanent residence for the presence of God to reside.

o David sees his current situation as settled and stable

o How often do we do the same feel we have “arrived” and stop pursuing new blessing from God

· The Journey God has for David was not complete. (v. 6-9). “The Lord’s promised goal had not yet been reached”.

· God promises / purpose for David

o A name

o A place

o Peace

o Rest

· God’s promises beyond David (v. 11-16)

o Not completed in David’s lifetime

But the Davidic covenant anticipates the New Covenant of Jesus Christ and is fulfilled by it. Thus, Genesis 22 looks forward to a provisional fulfillment in the Davidic covenant and a definitive fulfillment in the New.

Scott Hahn (Catholic Theologian and Apologist)