A Chiastic Perspective of the Davidic Covenant

 

The Significance of the Concept of Covenant

The entire Bible revolves around the concept of Covenant. This study will explore the Davidic Covenant, as detailed in 2 Samuel 7, by comparing it with its parallel in Scripture, Psalm 89. We will analyze literary patterns and parallels that help define and highlight the purpose of this Covenant, especially in relation to a future "Son of David" who would become our Messiah and King, establishing a heavenly rule and reign on earth through those who submit to His Lordship. 

An Eternal Kingdom Established by a King's Son

In 2 Samuel 7, after a tumultuous journey to the throne of Israel, King David reached a period of relative peace and decided to build a house for God. He discussed the idea with the prophet Nathan. Nathan initially told David it sounded like a good plan and to go ahead, but God interrupted by sending Nathan a message that David could not build the house, but "his son" would. Before we continue with this covenant, it's worth noting that in Hebrew thought, the son is seen as the builder of the house or family line. The Hebrew word for "son" is "ben בן," and it is closely related to the Hebrew word for "build," "benah בנה." 

... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (God's Son) 

— I Peter 2:5

With this in mind, we might begin by understanding that the Davidic covenant is in preparation for a Messiah/King, the Son of God, who would build and establish an eternal Kingdom/House.

The words "eternal" and "forever" will become essential hinges in this lesson, but before we get to that, it is also noteworthy that Nathan is the name of the prophet who delivers this message. His name means "to give" and echoes a theme in a quote from the Son of God Himself, who came to build a spiritual, eternal kingdom from the hearts of humankind who would believe in His name.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life 

— John 3:16

Christ on the Throne

The Davidic Covenant

The Davidic covenant promises are recorded in 2 Samuel chapter seven.

A) "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 will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 

Central Axis) 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. 

(A) And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."’ 

— II Samuel 7:12-16 

 

The Literary Structure

The Scripture passage above is arranged in a chiastic structure. According to Bible scholar Kenneth Bailey, chiasms are like sandwiches, with the message's meat or heart in the middle of a text. Parallel texts on both sides then surround this central point. The surrounding texts highlight and elaborate on the central topic.

Our vision is designed in the same way. It is called "Optic Chiasm" and explains how our vision functions by combining information from both eyes (left and right) that cross over in the center of our brain. This process enables us to focus and gives us depth perception. This concept works similarly to understanding written text. Two sides of information meet in the middle, giving us better focus and a more in-depth look.

In this particular Scripture above, you will notice that the outer slices of bread, the "A's," echo each other in themes of establishing by three things: a house, a kingdom, and a throne.

In Scripture, the number three categorizes spiritual things. "Established forever" is used three times, showing that this is a work of God's Spirit. 

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 

— Zechariah 4:6 

The main focus is on how this kingdom will be founded. It will be established by a "Father" whose "Son" will be disciplined by the hands of men and by their blows. Regarding the Messiah Jesus, He will not suffer these blows because of His own iniquity, as the prophet Isaiah foretold. 

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed... 

... And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all... 

... For the transgressions of My people He was stricken... 

... For He shall bear their iniquities. 

— Isaiah 53

Like quotation marks, the outer texts explain that this would be an eternal transaction, as expressed in the term "forever." 

Notably, regarding the number three, David was the third king of the united kingdom of Israel. 

Abner, the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David. 

— 2 Samuel 2:8-10 

David's being the third king is in keeping with the Davidic kingdom's eternal theme and its messianic and prophetic aims.

David, Asaph, Deman, and Ethan, psalmists of the Old Testament

Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is considered the parallel Psalm related to this covenant. Its title in the NKJV is "Remembering the Covenant with David." Ethan, the Ezrahite, authored this Psalm. Ezrahite means "rising out of the soil" and prophetically points to Jesus, the Messiah and King, who is to come.

He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 

— 1 Corinthians 15:4

Ethan was a notable wise man (1 Kings 4:31), again indicating the "wise" nature that would identify the Messiah/King. 

To God our Savior
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power
Both now and forever.
Amen.

— Jude 1:25

Ethan's name is rooted in a word meaning "perennial flowing stream," reflecting this covenant's eternal theme.

If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 

— John 7:38 

... whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. 

— John 4:14 

His father was Zerah, which means "ray of light."

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. 

— James 1:17-18

All taken together, these elements confirm Psalm 89's theme, structure, and purpose, as well as its link to the Davidic covenant. It is a literary portrait of the indescribable gift of light and living water sent by the Father. The Father sent the "light of the world" to die for our sins and then rose from the dead on our behalf, showing us the way to eternal life with Him.

God's Forever, Faithful, and Loyal Love

The first word of this Psalm is "loyal love," or chesed in Hebrew. It is often translated as "lovingkindness" or "mercy" in some translations. "chesed" refers to God's covenant faithfulness and loyal, sacrificial love toward His people. It means far more than God simply being nice or winking at our sin for the sake of the relationship. It encompasses the entire concept of God, demonstrating His faithfulness by giving His only begotten Son for the sake of the relationship with those who would believe and follow Him.

We will explore "His chosen Son" further in a later section. For now, let's focus on what is at the core of God's loyal love, as shown in the first two verses of Psalm 89, as translated in the Lexham version.

A) I will sing forever of Yahweh's acts of loyal love; 

Central Axis) From generation to generation, I will make known your faithfulness with my mouth 

A) For I say, “Forever your loyal love is built up 

— Psalm 89:1-2

According to the central axis, the most important theme at the core of His loyal, faithful love and the Davidic covenant is God's faithfulness.

He proved His faithfulness through His one and only Son.

God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

— Romans 5:8

That is an incredibly faithful act to send His one and only Son to die on behalf of people who have expressed little or no interest in having anything to do with Him.

The outer parallel themes of "Forever," "singing," and "saying" show us how those ideas become established, experienced, and expressed personally.

"There can never be an end to the throne of Christ, for his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; and there can never be an end to the family of Christ, for his seed shall endure for ever." 

— Charles Spurgeon

Tetragrammaton, Sephardi Bible, 1835

A Covenant With His Chosen One

The second word of this verse, in its Hebrew form, is God's covenant name, Yahweh, which is rendered "LORD" in most English Bibles. In contrast, God, or Elohim in Hebrew, presents Himself as the powerful creator of all. Yahweh reveals His relationship and reputation to those who are His. Let's explore what lies at the core of His name, using the chiastic structure of this part of Scripture, beginning with the two references to Yahweh that frame this revelation.

A) I will sing forever of Yahweh's acts of loyal love; 

B) From generation to generation, I will make known your faithfulness with my mouth. 

C) For I say, “Forever your loyal love is built up 

D) The heavens you have established with your faithfulness in them.” 

Central Axis) "I made a covenant with my chosen one; 

D) I swore an oath to David, my servant: 

C) I will establish your seed forever 

B) and I will build up your throne from generation to generation.’" Selah. 

A) And so the heavens will praise your wonderful deeds, O Yahweh 

— Psalm 89:1-5 

Before examining the parallels, it is important to highlight a prominent, recurring theme that connects heaven and earth throughout this Psalm. It's as if the two constantly kiss and cross over each other in this Psalm. I will try to point out each instance where this happens as it relates to the study. This idea alone suggests that this covenant concerns God's heavenly rule on earth, as reflected in the Lord's Prayer.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven

— Matthew 6:19

The two outermost parallels, represented by the "A's" in Psalm 89:1-5, display His loyal love, expressed as "acts" in the first "A" and "wonderful deeds" in the second "A." Both use His name, Yahweh, making His acts and wonderful deeds inseparable from His name. The first "A" shows the psalmist, a representative of the earth, singing of Yahweh's loyal love, and in the second "A," we see heaven praising His wonders.

This part of the Psalm links His loyal love to the concept of "wonders," described as extraordinary, miraculous, and beyond human understanding. Paul used the same language when he prayed in his letter to the Ephesians.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might, which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. 

— Ephesians 1:18-20

The reputation of His character, marked by faithful, loyal, and sacrificial love, and His name, in both heaven and earth, form the framework of this section.

The next two parallels, the "B's," focus on the word "generations." In the first "B," we see the psalmist making God's faithful name and reputation known to all generations. In the second "B," we see His throne established for all generations.

In the "B's," God's name, throne, and kingdom on earth are established through the experience of His greatness and salvation, and that experience is passed down to the next generation. In Psalm 45, the concept of His name is connected to the idea of being handed down through generations. Generations are the created world's illustration of eternity.

I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations;
Therefore, the people will give You thanks forever and ever.

— Psalm 45:17

The third parallel, the "C's," highlights the common theme of "forever" as it relates to His name and encompasses the idea of eternity.

Your name, Yahweh, endures forever (heaven); your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations (earth) 

— Psalm 135:13 

Within the "C's," we see His loyal love that endures forever, a heavenly theme. He promises that David's seed, an earthly event, will be established eternally, again pointing to Jesus, the eternal Son of God.  

... concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh (earth). and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit (heaven) of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead 

— Romans 1:3,4

Heaven and earth meet once again in this Davidic covenant, as seen in the "B's," "generations of the earth," and the "C's," "forever" and "eternity."

The "D's" don't have exact word matches. However, God's faithfulness in the first "D" and His swearing an oath to David concerning all these things in the second "D" align conceptually. Once again, we see that heaven and earth intersect in what God swears to David and in what is established in the heavens. Who God is, what God says, and what God does are rooted in both heaven and earth.

The central point, the pivot around which all these other facts and revelations revolve, is the covenant established through the sacrificial death and resurrection of God's chosen, one and only Son. Jesus fully embodies God's character and faithful covenant name.

The outermost slices of bread in this sandwich, declaring and praising Yahweh's name, point to the central theme of God's chosen Son. Is Yahweh none other than Jesus Himself? Heaven and earth meet and join at the Covenant with God's Chosen One, and that covenant lies at the center of His name.

"That covenant, as you well know, was not only made with David, but it had a higher spiritual bearing, for it related to that great and glorious Son of David who still reigns, and shall reign for ever, and in whom every covenant blessing is secured." 

— Charles Spurgeon

Heaven and Earth: A Deeper Look

The Psalm continues with parallels and comparisons of heaven and earth.

...The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; 

The world and all it contains, You have founded them. 

The north (Heaven) and the south (Earth), You have created them; Tabor (Earth) and Hermon (Heaven) shout for joy at Your name. 

— Psalm 89:11,12

I added "heaven" and "earth" in parentheses to help us understand the visuals and imagery God uses to connect us to these concepts.

Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor

As seen in the passage above, Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon carry themes and symbols of heaven and earth, serving as helpful visual aids.

Mount Tabor is situated in the center of Israel and once served as the border between the Northern and Southern Tribes. It is a unique hilltop surrounded by a large expanse of flat land. In biblical times, it was a wilderness area. In this poem, it represents the earth.

Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon, in contrast, signifies a sanctuary and symbolizes heaven. It lies on Israel's northernmost border, at a high elevation. Because of its height, it receives significant precipitation, mainly snowfall. This mountain is also a key water source for the arid region and a primary source of the Jordan River.

Isaiah 55, also known as the Gospel of Isaiah, draws on this same spiritual lesson and imagery, incorporating both heavenly and earthly elements.

... as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 

— Isaiah 55:10-11 

Mount Hermon has three nearly equal summits, one of which was believed to be the site of the Transfiguration. The three figures in this scene were heavenly in concept (Jesus, Moses, and Elijah), and the three were earthly men (Peter, James, and John). The three peaks remind me of the Trinity, comprising the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—one mountain with three summits.

Present-day Mount Hermon is the highest United Nations site in the world and is sometimes called "the eyes of Israel."

David's dynasty never decays, but on the contrary, is ever more consolidated by the great Architect of heaven and earth. Jesus is a king as well as a progenitor, and his throne is ever being built up; his kingdom comes, and his power extends.
— Charles Spurgeon

Kingdom and Kingship

The Davidic Covenant sets the stage for the LORD, Jesus Christ, to be recognized as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as previously discussed in this covenant. It includes the promise of a Kingdom, a house, and a throne. Paul summarizes this fulfillment in Christ by urging Timothy to live as a subject of the King and Lord Jesus. 

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 

— 1 Timothy 6:11-16 

What was Christ Jesus' "good confession"?

Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 

— Matthew 27:11

John adds

"My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?"

Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

— John 17:36-37

Psalm 89 expresses this in the language of kingship in the following ways.

'Your seed I will establish forever,
And build up your throne to all generations

— Psalm 89:4

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne

— Psalm 89:14

For our shield belongs to the Lord,
And our king to the Holy One of Israel

— Psalm 89:18

Also, I will make him My firstborn,
The highest of the kings of the earth.

— Psalm 89:27

And My covenant shall stand firm with him.
His seed also I will make to endure forever,
And his throne as the days of heaven.
His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me

— Psalm 89:36

 W.J. Dumbrell, in His book titled "Covenant and Creation," writes the following.

"The Kingship of God under girds the whole Davidic Programme"

The book of Matthew, which is understood to portray Jesus as "The King," refers to Him as "The Son of David" ten times, twice as often as any other Gospel.

The Jews have always known that the Messiah would be a son of David. Jesus asked the Pharisees, who were continually trying to undermine Him.

"What do you think about the Christ (Messiah)? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David." 

— Matthew 22:42

Matthew's recorded events related to Jesus being called the Son of David, a Messiah/King, form a distant chiasm, with the outer parallels declaring that both Jew and Gentile are recipients of deliverance and affirming His rule and reign over both physical and spiritual matters. 

A) When Jesus departed from there, two blind men (Jews) followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us! 

— Matthew 9:27 

(Central Axis) 

And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?" 

— Matthew 12:23 

A) behold, a woman of Canaan (Gentile) came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 

— Matthew 15:22 

The central axis is expressed perfectly, including "all the multitudes," both Jews and Gentiles, who realize and are amazed that the "Son of David," the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah, is among them.

Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him

Another scene in the Kingdom of God, depicted in Psalm 89, shows the Messiah-King's governing rights over all that He has made, which is also linked to a New Testament event.

O Lord God of hosts, 

Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. 

You rule the swelling of the sea; 

When its waves rise, You still them. 

You Yourself crushed Rahab like one who is slain; 

You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm. 

— Psalm 89:8-10

The fulfillment of the Messiah/Kingship is revealed in the New Testament Christ.

Now, when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds (spiritual matters) and the sea (earthly matters), and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” 

— Matthew 8:23-27

There are bracketing events on both sides of this miracle. Before this event come the Leper's cleansing, the Centurion's servant's healing, and Peter's mother-in-law's healing. All are physical in nature. After that, the scenes present spiritual problems, with two demon-possessed men who are delivered, illustrating Christ's rule over the realm of the spirit.

The Application

The Hebrew word "rebuke" in the Old Testament aligns with its usage in the New Testament Greek. It conveys the idea of protecting something valuable. It is also consistently used to rebuke watery chaos in both the Old and New Testaments.

He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

— Psalm 106:9

"Gaar גער" is the Hebrew word for rebuke, composed of the letters "gimel ג," "ayin ע," and "resh ר," each with its pictographic meaning, beginning with "gimel ג." "Gimel ג," the first letter, is represented by a camel; "ayin ע," the second letter, by an eye; and "resh ר," the final letter, by a head, indicating what is top or most important. I was confused until I looked up some camel qualities and learned how its eyes function. Camel and eye go together in the following way. 

A camel's eye has three eyelids to protect its vital parts from wind and sand. In Hebrew thought, the pupil is called the "daughter" of the eye because of its value and fragility. Its third outer lid wipes away and resists the wind and sand like a windshield wiper. 

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 

— Mark 4:39

This usage aligns with the New Testament Greek word, which is rooted in the idea of protecting something valuable. What a fascinating image. God shows us that when He rebukes or wipes it away, it is to safeguard something precious to Him.

The final letter, "resh ר," reveals who has the power to rebuke. It is only the highest person.

... what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

— Ephesians 1:19-2 

 

The Covenant Conclusion

If we look back through the covenants, we can see how God called one man, Abraham, with whom He established a covenant. From a descendant of Abraham came a promised son, Isaac, and a land. From that promised son came a descendant, Jacob. From Jacob, God formed a tribe; from that tribe, He formed a nation; and from that nation, He established a Kingdom. From that Kingdom, He created the right and authority to bring His one and only Son to redeem humankind.

I will end with a note of encouragement from the writer of Hebrews about our great King and the throne where He sits.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

— Hebrews 4:14-16

Charles Spurgeon summarizes perfectly with this quote.

"Our King is a great King, and he rules over sea and land; there is no bound to his dominions, and there will be no end to his righteous rule. Christ is indeed “higher than the kings of the earth,” for he is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Do not your hearts rejoice as you think of this blessed King with whom God has entered into a covenant to bless all who are trusting in him, even the very poorest and feeblest of them? What a joy it is to us to see Jesus striking hands with the Eternal and entering into an everlasting covenant on our behalf! 

— Charles Spurgeon  

 © 2016 Tamarajo