Editing David (section)

=== Christian interpretation of the promise of David’s eternal dynasty ===
Many Christian theologians interpret the covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7 as a messianic promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In this view, David is seen as a typological forerunner of the Messiah, whose throne is described as enduring “forever”.<ref>Robertson, O. Palmer. ''The Christ of the Covenants''. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1980, p. 259.</ref><ref>Goldsworthy, Graeme. ''Gospel and Kingdom: A Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament''. Exeter: Paternoster Press, 1981, pp. 99–101.</ref>

*  Psalm 2, often attributed to the anointed, David, contains royal language interpreted messianically:
:''“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”''<ref>Psalm 2:8, ESV.</ref>
This verse is cited in the New Testament in reference to Jesus (e.g., Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5).<ref>Bruce, F. F. ''The New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes''. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968, pp. 105–107.</ref>

*  Psalms 25 and 37 speak of the righteous inheriting the land. Christian interpreters see these passages as consistent with Christ’s kingdom teachings and inheriting the land in Christ:
:''“His offspring shall inherit the land.”'' (Psalm 25:13)
:''“The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”'' (Psalm 37:11)<ref>ESV.</ref>
These themes are echoed in the Beatitudes:
:''“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”'' (Matthew 5:5)<ref>Carson, D. A. ''The Sermon on the Mount: An Evangelical Exposition of Matthew 5–7''. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978, pp. 24–25.</ref>

*  Psalm 89 reinforces the Davidic covenant’s enduring nature:
:''“His offspring shall endure forever... like the moon it shall be established forever.”'' (Psalm 89:36–37)<ref>ESV.</ref>
This is often interpreted as a prophecy of Christ’s eternal reign.<ref>Wright, Christopher J. H. ''Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament''. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1992, pp. 103–105.</ref>

*  The prophet Jeremiah similarly affirms:
:''“David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel.”''<ref>Jeremiah 33:17, ESV.</ref>

*  Ezekiel uses Davidic imagery to bookend his New Covenant vision:
:''“I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David.”''<ref>Ezekiel 34:23, ESV.</ref>
:''“David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.”''<ref>Ezekiel 37:24, ESV.</ref>
Daniel I. Block notes that these references frame the hope for a restored, unified leadership under a messianic figure.<ref>Block, Daniel I. ''The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25–48''. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998, pp. 505–506.</ref>

*  Psalm 132, the longest of the Psalms of Ascent, begins with a plea to remember David's sufferings and recounts God's covenant oath. It is framed by two brief Psalms of David (Psalms 131 and 133), emphasizing both humility and unity. Several theologians interpret this structure as typologically linking David’s afflictions to those of Christ. Alec Motyer writes that “the sufferings of David become a prefigurement of the sufferings of the greater David.”<ref>Motyer, J. Alec. ''The Message of the Psalms''. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993, pp. 444–445.</ref> Spurgeon similarly notes that David’s zeal and sorrows “shadow the greater Son of David, who had no place to lay his head.”<ref>Spurgeon, Charles H. ''The Treasury of David, Vol. 3: Psalms 88–110''. London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1885, commentary on Psalm 132.</ref>

Christian interpreters commonly understand these prophetic and poetic passages to converge in Jesus as the promised Son of David and eternal King (Matthew 1:1; Revelation 19:16).<ref>Spurgeon, Charles H. ''The Treasury of David, Vol. 3: Psalms 88–110''. London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1885, commentary on Psalm 138:2.</ref><ref>Motyer, J. Alec. ''The Message of the Psalms''. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993, p. 209.</ref>