Lesson Twelve - 1&2 Samuel 1&2 Kings
Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky."
Psalms 89:35-37
R. Hiyya once saw the [old] moon in the heavens on the morning of the twenty-ninth day. He took a clod of earth and threw it at it, saying, Tonight we want to sanctify you, and are you still here! Go and hide yourself. Rabbi [Yehuda Ha Nasi] thereupon said to R. Hiyya, go to En Tov and sanctify the month, and send me the watchword, “David king of Israel is alive and vigorous.”
b.Rosh Hashanah 25a
Introduction
- We see a curious thing with “firsts” and “seconds” in the Torah – the blessing going to the second born. Isaac instead of Ishmael. Jacob instead of Esau. Ephraim instead of Manasseh. Moses instead of Aaron.
- This pattern that appears to play out again in the selection of a king for Israel. Man’s choice was Saul. Ultimately the blessing fell to the second king of Israel – David.
1Samuel
- This book is not about the prophet Samuel as much as it is about setting the story for David who becomes king in 2Samuel.
- It seems the failures of Judges seem to continue to plague Israel in 1Samuel. Like Judges, Samuel the prophet comes and his message encourages Israel to return to HaShem.
- From the pattern of fail-success-fail we saw in Judges, you wonder if Samuel will pass on Israel will once again return to sin… But in this case the pattern is broken by the young David.
2Samuel and the Mashiach
- Why does David represent the most clear messianic pattern in the TaNaKh?
- Prophet, Priest, King. These are the three anointed offices. Hence, “mashiach” (literally “anointed one”) applies to all of those in these three offices. David, interestingly, appears to function in each of these offices although he is not of Levi or a descendant of Aaron (Ps 110).
- The most obvious reason for the “Mashiach” pattern is found in 2Sam 7, called the “Davidic Covenant” by many.
- 2Sam 7: David wants to build a “house” for HaShem. HaShem promises to build a “house” for David. He continues to use the “house” language throughout – correlating the future Temple and the Messianic Kingdom.
- 2Sam 18:7ff: David, upon hearing the promises made realizes the connection to the Abrahamic Covenant. He uses the language of Abraham. “L-rd G-D” is “Ad-nai HaShem” and represents a specific covenant name of the Almighty. It is first used in Gen 15:2, 8. It is used 6 times in 2Sam 7. It is most often used in reference to G-d’s covenant with Israel.
- Matthew’s genealogy of Yeshua makes remarkable connections to David – even spelling out David’s name in the “14 generations.”
1&2 Kings
- After David, it is almost all downhill. Solomon’s reign begins with the promising signs that he will be like his father David, only to end poorly.
- The good and the bad kings further emphasize the remarkable relationship that HaShem has with David.
- The division of the kingdom into Northern and Southern kingdoms sets the stage for the ultimate supremacy of the tribe of Judah, and ultimately under Messiah to unite all Israel.
Summary
- The “Davidic Covenant” harkens back to the promise in the Garden of a “Seed.” It reminds us of the promise to Abraham of a “Seed.”
- The concept of ultimate redemption, which plays out so prominently in the Later Prophets is established in 2Samuel 7.