God’s means of fulfilling the promise: a King descended from David
In Second Samuel 7, God’s plan for the fulfillment of Abraham’s promise becomes more specific through a promise made to David. David, though he had become a successful king, was concerned for the honor and fame of God, so he committed to building a majestic temple as the central fixture in Jerusalem. Though his intention was sincere, God sent the prophet Nathan to David with a message. The first part of the message was that David was not to build the temple. The second part of Nathan’s message was that God was making a unique covenant with David:
“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. 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.’” (2 Samuel 7:8–9)
“‘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. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.’” (vv. 12–13)
It is important to recognize that the covenant made with David is related to the covenant made with Abraham. Like the one made with Abraham, this covenant has no conditions. It is not dependent on David’s obedience. In fact, God declares that His covenant with David will stand “forever.” God specifically says David will not face the jeopardy that Saul faced, because the covenant is permanent:
“’But my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” (2 Samuel 7:15–16)
Just as He promised to Abraham, God also promises as a part of this covenant that He will bring the Jewish people into their full destiny as a people and that they will dwell in the land securely and peacefully. This is important to recognize because David and his son Solomon lived during the golden years of ancient Israel. Even during David’s reign, God still promised a future time when He would plant them in the land without any enemies. This is what Abraham was promised, and even in David’s time, it was ultimately to be fulfilled in the future. We can see that in what God said to David:
“‘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.’” (2 Samuel 7:10)
The fact is, Israel has not yet had a time when they were planted in the land without any enemies.
When we look at the covenant made with David, we see that it is a continuation of God’s covenant with Abraham. God made specific promises to Abraham, and when He makes a covenant with David, God is declaring the way in which He is going to fulfill those promises. He is going to fulfill His original promise through a King, who will come from David. The general promise made to Abraham now takes on shape and form. It will be fulfilled through a Man, who will reign as King forever.
Paul recognizes this in Galatians when he declares that the promises made to Abraham ultimately belong to a specific man, a specific “seed” of Abraham. That “seed” is Jesus. The “seed” is referenced in Genesis, Second Samuel, and Galatians:
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. (Genesis 12:7)
“‘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.’” (2 Samuel 7:12)
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)
Paul declares the promises made to Abraham are ultimately secured and fulfilled through a single seed, the man Jesus. Paul is revealing how the promise will be fulfilled rather than explaining the nature of the promises. Jesus is the One, who will fulfill the promises to all people, both Jew and Gentile. Those promises are defined in Genesis 12, but the means by which they will be fulfilled is defined in Second Samuel 7 and again in Galatians 3.
Jesus is ultimately the one given the promises. He alone can secure the destiny of Jews and Gentiles. He alone is the one in Abraham’s lineage who is righteous and, therefore, can administrate God’s promises. Since Abraham’s promises ultimately were made to Jesus, when we are in right relationship with Him, we are positioned to enjoy them.
Second Samuel 7 serves the purpose of focusing the fulfillment of God’s promises on a specific individual. When God makes His covenant with David, His plan begins to take on specific shape and form. A King is coming. He will secure the promises, and He will live forever. Jesus will fulfill what was promised to Abraham. This is one of the key predictions of the Old Testament. A Man is coming who will be the One, who will bring God’s plan to completion.