Peter Barnes: The Sons of David and The Son of David, 2 Samuel 7:1-17 (Sunday 10 May 2020 Evening Service, 6.00 p.m.)
– the word ‘covenant’ is not used here, but it is used later of references to it – Psalm 89:3-4. God does not need a temple to dwell in (7:4-6; 1 Kings 8:27; Acts 17:24). God never asked for a temple (7:7). Look at Israel’s demand for a king, and God’s response – 1 Sam.8:4-5, 7, 9. A case of Ephesians 3:20-21. John Woodhouse calls 2 Samuel 7 ‘one of the most important passages in the whole Bible’.
1. The covenant with David is fulfilled in two ways: in his sons and his Son and Lord. – 7:12-16; Ps.89:27-33. The promise had to be fulfilled in two ways: (a) it applies to David’s sons – 1 Chronicles 28:6-7; 1 Kings 11:4, 9, 42-43; also 1 Kings 12:13-14, 30-31; 1 Kings 15:1-3, etc. Since the Babylonian destruction of 587-6 B.C., there has been no Davidic king in Israel. (b) it applies to David’s Son who is also David’s Lord – Hebrews 1:5; Matt.22:41-46.
2. Death will not defeat this covenant promise. – 7:12-13, 16. This kingdom is forever. Yet ‘Long live the king’ really only means ‘May his death be delayed!’ – Jer.33:14-18; Luke 1:32-33. Augustine on the sack of Rome: ‘Do not lose heart, brethren, there will be an end to every earthly kingdom.’ Charles Wesley: His kingdom cannot fail.
3. Sin will not defeat this covenant promise. – 7:14-15. Jesus is the only one without sin (1 Peter 2:22). Solomon, for example, both fulfills and destroys this covenant promise by sinning and dying. Only Jesus is the true Son of David – Matthew 20:29-34.
Watch the service below.