2 Samuel 7:16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before you: your throne shall be established for ever.… Looked at in the light of the development of the Divine purpose, rather than of the conscious knowledge of the time, (1) the royal office of David and Solomon (in its typical significance), and (2) the promises and prophecies uttered more or less directly in connection therewith, especially as recorded in the last words of David (ch. 23.) and in the Psalms, clearly pointed to the coming of an extraordinary, theocratic, Divine King. They indicate that he would be: 1. The Anointed of Jehovah. His Servant, chosen and beloved (ver. 8; ch. 5:3; Acts 4:27; Acts 10:28). Psalm 89., 'The faithfulness of the Lord.' "Once thou spakest in vision to thy beloved, and saidst: I have laid help upon a mighty one, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant, With my holy oil have I anointed him." (Psalm 89:19, 20.) 2. The Son of David "according to the flesh" (ver. 12; Acts 2:29-31; Acts 13:22-23). "Jehovah hath sworn unto David In truth that which he will not recall: Of the fruit of thy body Do I appoint a possessor of thy throne." (Psalm 132:11.) 3. The Son of God. (Ver. 14; Psalm 16:10; Luke L 35; Acts 4:25-27; Romans 1:4.) Psalm 2., 'The triumph of the Lord's Anointed.' "Jehovah saith unto me: Thou art my Son: I have this day begotten thee." (Psalm 2:7.) "He shall cry unto me: My Father art thou, My God, and the Rock of my salvation! Also I will make him my Firstborn, Highest of the kings of the earth." (Psalm 89:26, 27.) In the Old Testament the relation between father and son denotes the deepest. intimacy of love; and love is perfected in unity of nature, in the communication to the son of all that the father hath. 'The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand' (John 3:35). Sonship, therefore, includes the government of the world (Keil). 4. The King of righteousness and peace; Prophet and Priest; the Conqueror of all opposing powers (through conflict and suffering); the Saviour and Benefactor of those who trust in him; the supreme Lord (ver. 13; Psalm 22; Psalm 40; Psalm 61; Matthew 22:45; Hebrews 1:8). "The oracle of Jehovah unto my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand Until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Psalm 105:1) "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; A sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." (Psalm 45:6.) 5. The Builder of the temple. (Ver. 13; Zechariah 6:12, 13; John 1:14; John 2:19; John 14:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 21:1-3.) "Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, even the rebellious, that the Lord Jehovah might dwell among them." (Psalm 68:18.) 6. The Possessor of universal dominion. (1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:44; Psalm 22:27.) "He shall have dominion from sea to sea, And from the river to the ends of the earth." (Psalm 72:8.) 7. The King who should reign forever. (Ver. 16; Psalm 61:6, 7; Psalm 89:36, 37.) "His Name shall endure forever; His Name shall be continued as long as the sun." (Psalm 72:17.) An allegory may serve to illustrate the way in which the Old Testament proclamation of salvation unfolds itself. The Old Testament in relation to the day of the New Testament is night. In this night there rise in opposite directions two stars of promise. The one describes its fall from above downwards; it is the promise of Jehovah who is about to come [Psalm 96:13; Psalm 98:9]. The other describes its path from below upwards; it is the hope which rests on the seed of David, the prophecy of the Son of David, Which at the outset assumes a thoroughly human and merely earthly character. These two stars meet at last, they blend together in one star; the night vanishes, and it is day. This one star is Jesus Christ, Jehovah and the Son of David in one Person; the King of Israel and at the same time the Redeemer of the world; in one word, the God-Man (Delitzsch, in Psalm 72.). - D. Parallel Verses KJV: And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. |