Memorial OPC Adult Sunday School, Spring 2008
A Brief Overview of Covenant Theology

(Using as a guide - Covenants: God's Way with His People, by O. Palmer Robertson) 

Part 11, May 25, 2008

The Davidic Covenant

I. 2 Samuel 7:1-17
  1. The Historical Setting:
    1. David is anointed (1 Samuel 16:1, 7-13) as king - chosen of the Lord. 
    2. Saul removed as king (1 Samuel 31 & 2 Samuel 1) 
    3. David installed as king over Judah (2 Samuel 2.1-4) 
    4. David installed as king over all of Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5) 
    5. David conquers Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5.6-12) 
    6. David subdues his enemies and is granted rest from the Lord (2 Samuel 5.17-25; 7.1) 
    7. Israel is "secure" and "settled" in the Land
  2. David's Desire to Build the House of the Lord (7.2-3)
  3. The Lord's Response to David (7.4-17)
    1. Just who will build the house, and whose house will be built? 
    2. Note the priority of GRACE - all is based upon what God has done, and shall do (vv..8-16) 
    3. Note the eternal nature of the promise.
  4. But is this really a Covenant?
    1. Psalm 89:3-4 
    2. Psalm 132:11-12
II. How does this relate to what has gone before?
  1. Consider Adam's position in the Garden... Created to reflect God's image; to exercise dominion over all of God's creation on God's behalf; to do so by multiplying, filling, and subduing; all in absolute dependence upon God's blessing.
  2. Consider the promise of One to exercise dominion over the Serpent where Adam had failed...
  3. Consider the calling of Abraham: one chosen from all, that all might be blessed through the one...
  4. Consider the promise to Abraham (Gen. 17.6) that kings would be bom from him... 
  5. Consider the promise of a reigning scepter to be found in Judah (Gen. 49.10). The promise that a king and a lawgiver shall come and that God will sustain Judah's line until "Shiloh" comes. 
  6. Consider the provisions made in the Mosaic legislation for a king (Deut. 17.14-20). Five qualifications are laid down for the acceptable king. 
  7. Saul does not meet these qualifications. The people choose a king according to the standards of the world, not according to God's standards (1 Sam. 8). 
III. How does this relate to David himself?
  1. Consider Psalm 110:1-ff. There is one greater than David, and greater than Solomon, and greater than Rehoboam. 
  2. There must be a new David, one greater than David who will truly meet all the qualifications of Deut. 17.

IV. How does this relate to all that follows David?
  1. Isaiah 11.1-10 
  2. Jeremiah 23.5 
  3. Zechariah 9:9-10 
  4. Luke 1:32-34 
  5. Matthew 28:18 
  6. Philippians2:9-11 
  7. Rev. 5:8-12 
  8. Rev.l5:3-4