David, significance of

David was instrumental in the establishment of Jerusalem as the centre of Israel's worship. Through David's personal rule, God exercised his own kingship over his people. David thus foreshadowed the Messiah, who would spring from his royal line.

The historical significance of David

The establishment of Jerusalem as the centre of worship

2 Samuel 6:1–11 parallel 1 Chronicles 13:1–14; 2 Samuel 6:12–15 parallel 1 Chronicles 15:25–28

Preparations for building the temple

1 Chronicles 28:2–9 See also 2 Samuel 7:1–7 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:1–6; 1 Kings 8:17–19 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:7–9; 1 Chronicles 22:1–19, 1 Chronicles 23:4–5, 1 Chronicles 25:1, 1 Chronicles 26:12, 1 Chronicles 29:1–5

Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it, but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.’ Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel. And of all my sons— for the LORD has given me many sons— He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him as My son, and I will be his Father. I will establish his kingdom forever, if he resolutely carries out My commandments and ordinances, as is being done this day.’ So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever. As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

The spiritual significance of David

The son of God and chosen king

Psalm 2:6–7

“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.

An eternal priest

See also Psalm 110:4

A sign of God's final victory

Psalm 2:8–11, Psalm 110:1–3

God's covenant with David

2 Samuel 7:11–16 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:10–14 See also 1 Kings 11:11–13; 2 Kings 8:19 parallel 2 Chronicles 21:7; Psalm 89:1–37, Psalm 132:12; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 33:17; Ezekiel 37:21–28; Acts 13:22–23, Acts 13:32–37

and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you. And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

David as a type of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ as the Son of David

Jeremiah 23:5; Ezekiel 34:23–24 See also Isaiah 16:5; Matthew 1:1, Matthew 12:23, Matthew 15:22, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 20:30 parallels Mark 10:46–47, Luke 18:35–38; John 7:41–42; Revelation 22:16

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd. I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Jesus Christ's kingship is linked with David's kingship

Luke 1:32–33 See also Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 16:5; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Matthew 22:41–46 parallels Mark 12:35–37, Luke 20:41–44; Psalm 110:1

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”