The line of David

When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will 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. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” – 2 Samuel 7.12-16

There are several places in the Old Testament where prophecies have two different meanings. Often there is an immediate fulfilment and a future fulfilment. Here we read about David’s descendants. The immediate fulfilment is for David’s son Solomon. There is only a partial fulfilment there.

But the completed fulfilment is not going to happen until Messiah comes. He will be a part of David’s lineage and in Him we see all of the prophecy fulfilled.


Matthew Henry put it this way – ‘Blessings are promised to the family and posterity of David. These promises relate to Solomon, David's immediate successor, and the royal line of Judah. But they also relate to Christ, who is often called David and the Son of David. To him God gave all power in heaven and earth, with authority to execute judgment. He was to build the gospel temple, a house for God's name; the spiritual temple of true believers, to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. The establishing of his house, his throne, and his kingdom for ever, can be applied to no other than to Christ and his kingdom: David's house and kingdom long since came to an end. The committing iniquity cannot be applied to the Messiah himself, but to his spiritual seed; true believers have infirmities, for which they must expect to be corrected, though they are not cast off.’

It's a beautiful picture of what Messiah King has done for us. He was indeed chastened, but for OUR sins. The Son of David, who is also the Son of God will reign forever and ever and we will reign with Him.