Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 171:681 (Jan 2014)
Article: What Did David Understand About The Promises In The Davidic Covenant?
Author: Andrew E. Steinmann

BSac 171:681 (January-March 2014) p. 19

What Did David Understand About The Promises In The Davidic Covenant?

Andrew E. Steinmann

Andrew E. Steinmann is Distinguished Professor of Theology and Hebrew, Concordia University, Chicago.

If there is one certainty about the identity of the Messiah in the New Testament, it is that he is a royal descendant of David. In the Synoptic Gospels those who appeal to Jesus as the Christ often refer to Him as “son of David” (Matt. 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9, 15; Mark 10:47-48; Luke 18:38-39; cf. Matt. 1:1). Moreover, in a well-known conversation about the Messiah, even Jesus’ opponents acknowledge that He is the son of David (Matt. 22:42-45; cf. Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44).

Luke’s narratives leading to Jesus’ birth emphasize His Davidic connection: Gabriel announces that Mary’s child will occupy the throne of David (Luke 1:32); John the Baptist’s father Zechariah prophesies the salvation to come from the house of David, for which his son will prepare the way (Luke 1:69; cf. vs. 76); the angel of the Lord announces Jesus’ birth in the city of David (Luke 2:11; cf. John 7:42). Paul also emphasized Jesus’ descent from David (Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8), and this was, no doubt, part of his “proving that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 9:22; cf. 17:2-3). In the Apocalypse Jesus is identified three times as the scion of David’s house (Rev. 3:7; 5:5; 22:16).

Of course this emphasis on the Messiah as a descendant of David follows the trajectory set forth in the prophets (Isa. 9:6-7; 16:3-5; You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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