2 Samuel: The House Builder
"I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."(12b-13)
2 Samuel records King David's reign, placing the Davidic Covenant in its historical context. The book opens with the death of King Saul and David's ascension to the throne. The second king was initially humble and successful, but his pride and sinfulness led to challenges and oppositions, including a rebellion led by his own son Absalom. Despite these difficulties, David was able to maintain his kingship and establish his own dynasty unlike his predecessor since God promised him that his throne would be forever through his offspring.
David is the great king that the Israelites love, but he is a complex and flawed figure who is not only a great victor over enemies but also a great sinner against God and his neighbors. He is the head of covenant community, and when he stands firm, his family and country stand strong, but when he falls down in sin, all that belong to him suffer as well. David's great sin against Bathsheba and Uriah results in a tragic outcome for his house and the whole nation. However, there are mercy and forgiveness with the God of Israel, who is willing to restore His people when they repent their sin and turn to God sincerely.
The story of David points to a better king who would build his family and kingdom and lead them in accordance with God's righteousness. Although David wants to build God's house, it is God who builds the house of God and the kingdom of God through his offspring. This promised son of David is Jesus Christ. He is not a mere mortal man, but also the Son of God Almighty, who never fails or disappoints. The covenant that God made with David confirms that his kingdom shall be forever. It is possible only in Jesus Christ, the heavenly anointed one who is the flawless King of His people and establishes the everlasting kingdom and family of Himself.
When Absalom, David's beloved son, rebelled against him, David only mourned deeply for him, saying, "Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!" However, when we all sinned against Him, the Son of David, the righteous one, died in our place to save us from our sin and misery. David's kindness to Mephibosheth reveals how the gospel of grace works beautifully. It is for the sake of his beloved friend Jonathan that David shows kindness to the one left of the house of Saul. Likewise, for the sake of our Jonathan, Jesus, God, the heavenly King, remembers His eternal covenant with Jesus and shows His saving grace to those who are lost by themselves, inviting them into His palace to have delightful fellowship with Him as one of the King's beloved sons.
