(5 minute read)

Israel rejected God and asked for a king, so God set a plan in motion to nevertheless become their king forever. He stoops down to weave his loving plan even through his peoples’ foolishness and pettiness. During David’s reign, Israel transitioned from being a wandering people to being settled and secure in the land. To reflect this change, David wanted to exchange the “portable” tabernacle for a new established temple where God could dwell.

God responds to David, “Why do you think I need a house? Let me build you a house.” He promises to establish David’s line as an everlasting kingdom. He promises to raise up one of David's offspring who “will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13). Though this covenant begins to unfold through David’s son Solomon building the temple, this promised king truly arrives in Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David. In him “something greater than the temple is here” (Matthew 12:6) and “something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42).

The whole history of Israel foreshadows God’s ultimate plan in Jesus, who is both king and temple—the reigning presence of God himself in our midst. He has been “raised up” and his eternal kingdom is already within us and around us, bringing into reality all that God promised to his people throughout history. We only need to serve and obey him as he prepares a house for the Lord—in the Church and in each of us who seek his kingdom.

Pray Psalm 72 about Christ our King. Reflect on what it means to serve Jesus as King, which can be a stretch for we who are accustomed to democracy. What kind of king is Jesus and how does he fulfill this psalm?

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Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Deeper Dive Podcast (David)

About the Author

Nick Chambers is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Calvary UMC