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Week 21: The Davidic Covenant

Weekly memory verse:

Luke 1:68–69 – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people  and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”

Weekly hymn:

“Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing” (free download)

Weekly catechism:

Why must the Redeemer be at the same time true God?
The Redeemer must be true God so that by the power of his divine nature he might bear the burden of God’s wrath and restore to me righteousness and life.

Day 101: God’s Promise to David

Reading: 2 Samuel 7–8

Notes

Chapter 7, Verse 4. Word of the Lord. While not called a “covenant” here, later in 23:5, this unconditional promise made to David is called “an everlasting covenant.” It is a central passage in all of Scripture and is ultimately fulfilled in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ when he establishes his millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 19).

Verse 14. Father . . . son. These words are specifically applied to Jesus in Hebrews 1:5.

Verse 16. House . . . kingdom . . . throne. Luke 1:32–33 applies this promise to Jesus.

Summary

In a passage that is central to understanding all of Scripture, God establishes an unconditional, eternal covenant with David. He promises David blessings during his own lifetime, but also that his kingly line would be established forever. God begins to fulfill his promises to David with his son Solomon, but the covenant will not be fully fulfilled until David’s descendent, the Messiah, will sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem and rule over all things.

Discussion Questions

1. What indications are in the covenant that God intends for it to be unconditional?
2. What promises to David does God make that will be fulfilled after David’s death?
3. What promises have yet to be fulfilled?

Day 102: David Shows Mercy and Vengeance

Reading: 2 Samuel 9–10:1–19; Psalm 23

Notes

Chapter 10, Verse 4. Shaved. This was an insult and sign of submission usually forced upon prisoners of war.

Psalm 23. Shepherd. The image of a shepherd is often applied to Jesus in the New Testament (John 10; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25, 5:4).

Verse 5. Table. To eat at someone’s table was to indicate complete peace; thus, eating in the presence of one’s enemies was amazing.

Summary

As David begins his reign, he shows incredible humility and mercy toward Jonathan’s son, revealing a stark contrast with Saul. However, David’s reign is continually characterized by war and strife, often as a result of David’s own sinful choices.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did David show mercy to Mephibosheth?
2. Why did Hanun disgrace David’s men?
3. In what ways is God like a shepherd?

Day 103: David and Bathsheba

Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1–27; Proverbs 9

Notes

2 Samuel 11, Verse 1. David remained. This was unusual for any king, especially David. Whether David had premeditated ulterior motives for staying behind or not, this phrase was meant to be a condemnation of David and foreshadowed his devastating sin.

Verse 8. Wash your feet. This was an unambiguous expression indicating to Uriah that he should go home to be with his wife.

Summary

David’s sins of adultery and murder reveal him to be far from the perfect king God promised would one day rule over Israel. Nevertheless, God had promised David that he would never forsake him as he had Saul.

Discussion Questions

1. In what ways did David try to cover his sin?
2. Was Bathsheba guilty of sin as well?
3. In what ways does David demonstrate folly instead of wisdom?

Day 104: David’s Confession

Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1–31, Psalm 51:1–19

Notes

2 Samuel 12, Verse 23. I shall go to him. This may refer to David’s confidence that he would one day be reunited with his dead son, used by some as support for the idea that infants who die go to heaven. Alternatively, it could simply indicate David’s recognition that he, too, will one day die, and that death is ultimately in the hands of God.

Psalm 51. This psalm was written by David as an expression of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba.

Verse 5. Conceive. This verse is evidence that life begins at conception since only sentient life could be described as being “in sin.”

Verse 11. Presence . . . Spirit. Here David does not fear losing his salvation, but rather losing his special relationship with God as his chosen king who had received the special theocratic anointing of the Spirit.

Summary

David took responsibility for his sin and confessed it to the Lord with true contrition. God did not condemn David to death or take the kingdom away from him; nevertheless, sin always results in consequences even for those who are penitent.

Discussion Questions

1. In what ways does David demonstrate true repentance?
2. What does David’s response after his son’s death reveal about him?
3. What are characteristics of true repentance as modeled in Psalm 51?

Day 105: Absalom Murders Amnon

Reading: 2 Samuel 13; Proverbs 10

Notes

2 Samuel 13, Verse 37. Talmai. This king of Geshur, east of the Sea of Galilee, was grandfather of both Absalom and Tamar.

Summary

The consequences of David’s sin continue with Amnon’s sin and Absalom’s murder of Amnon. This sets the stage for even greater, national consequences to come with Absalom’s rebellion against his father and Israel’s Civil War.

Discussion Questions

1. Was Absalom right to have Amnon killed?
2. How did the death of Amnon resemble the death of Uriah?
3. What truths from Proverbs 10 are illustrated in the account of 2 Samuel 13?