Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 65:1 (Mar 2022)
Article: The Date Of The Davidic Covenant
Author: Todd Bolen

JETS 65:1 (March 2022) p. 61

The Date Of The Davidic Covenant

Todd Bolen*

^* Todd Bolen is Professor of Biblical Studies at The Master’s University, 21726 Placerita Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita, CA 91321. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Abstract: The current consensus among evangelical scholars dates the Davidic covenant to the end of David’s life. This article challenges that theory by presenting evidence from the biblical text demonstrating that the Davidic covenant was made in the first half of David’s reign. This proposal is supported by a reference in the covenant to Solomon’s birth being in the future and by the comment on Michal’s childlessness. Arguments for dating the covenant late in David’s life are considered and rejected. The primary reason for placing the covenant in David’s final decade is the dates given by Josephus for Hiram’s reign, but this evidence is not as strong as is usually assumed. Ultimately, an earlier date for the Davidic covenant is not only required by the biblical evidence, but it also provides David with extended time to reflect upon the covenant’s significance in writing psalms that foretold the Messiah’s suffering and glory.

Key words: Davidic covenant, chronology, palace, Hiram, Solomon, Josephus, messianic psalms

According to Jesus and the apostles, David wrote psalms about the Messiah. In Jesus’s dispute with the Pharisees, he claimed that Psalm 110 was written by David about his greater Son (Matt 22:41–46). When the apostles were praying in Acts 4, they credited David with the description in Psalm 2 of the Messiah’s opposition. Other psalms attributed to David in the superscriptions speak of what is best understood as a future king who suffers at the hands of his enemies but who ultimately experiences great victory and worldwide rule. Some Davidic psalms considered to contain a significant messianic component include Psalms 2, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 69, 109, and 110. Though scholars disagree on exactly which psalms are messianic, most would agree that the messianic psalms penned by David were written after the Lord promised him an eternal dynasty. David’s expectations of a greater Son who would subdue the ...