Davidic Covenant II

From Gospel Translations

“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old” (Amos. 9:11).

- Amos 9:11-15

With the establishment of the Davidic covenant, the people of God found themselves in a new era. No longer were they to be harassed by their enemies and live in a state of insecurity moving from one corrupt judge to another. Rather, they would live in peace and security under a king who would promote justice according to the law of God.

At least that was the intent. However, we know from the Bible that the kings of ancient Israel fell far short of this ideal. Corrupt men ascended the throne and engaged in all kinds of rampant idolatry and sin. And as God promised to do, He sent His people into exile.

But this was not the last word concerning the Davidic king. Second Samuel 7:14–15 promises that God would not take His steadfast love away from David’s line. His descendants would be disciplined, but they would never be completely forsaken.

This was a hard thing for the nation of Israel to accept. Their prophets warned repeatedly of exile and the eventual experience of that dreadful punishment would have made it hard to accept this promise about David’s throne. But though God brought punishment, He also promised restoration. In Amos 9:11–15 we read one such promise. Verse 11 tells us specifically that though the booth of David has fallen, it will be restored by God. Glory would return to Israel under a Davidic king and all of God’s promises would be kept.

When the voice of prophecy went silent for hundreds of years following the death of Malachi, the people of God looked forward to the arrival of their promised king. They hoped for the day of Elijah, who would come to announce the Day of the Lord, the day on which this King would be made manifest. They waited for the coming of the kingdom of God.

This kingdom finally came in a manner that was unexpected by some of the people of Israel. It was announced by Elijah, but not the exact same Elijah from the days of old. Rather, one went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah proclaiming the need for repentance and a baptism for the remission of sins (Luke 3:1–6). The kingdom, while it will be visible and political, first broke in as an invisible and spiritual kingdom.

Coram Deo

God would have had every right to give up on the Davidic line. Most of the kings of ancient Israel led the people into sin and persecuted those who proclaimed the law of God. But God, because of His sworn oath, pledged to renew the Davidic line. Remember that when God makes a promise, He will always keep it.

Passages for Further Study

Hos. 3:1–5
Zech. 12:10
Luke 1:30–33
Rev. 22:16