Jesus, the Son of David

¹ The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 (ESV)

When anyone opens the New Testament to study the life of Jesus, the reader notices the Gospel writers and others identify Jesus as the Son of David (e.g., see Matthew 1:1; Luke 2:4; John 7:42; Romans 1:3-4). From David came Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:1, 21; Luke 2:10-11; John 4:42; Acts 4:11-12; Acts 13:22-23, 26, 32-37). Why was Jesus identified as the Son of David?

In the Old Testament, David was considered Israel and Judah’s greatest king. David was a king selected and anointed by the living LORD God of heaven and earth to lead His people (see 1 Samuel 16:1; 2 Samuel 6:21-22; 1 Chronicles 17:7; Psalm 89:20). The living LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is the God of Israel, took David from tending sheep in the pastures of Judah, and He selected David to be the leader (prince, ruler) of His people (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13; 2 Samuel 7:8; Psalm 78:70-71).[1] The LORD God look at David’s heart, and He found that David was a loyal and faithful man after His own heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22-23; see also 1 Chronicles 28:9). For the LORD Almighty sees and searches every heart, and He knows every plan and thought (e.g., see 1 Samuel 2:3; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 2 Chronicles 6:30).

Consequently, the living LORD God selected David as His king to lead and shepherd His people, Israel and Judah, and He anointed and filled David with His powerful Spirit (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 1 Samuel 21:10-11; 2 Samuel 23:2; 1 Chronicles 17:22; Psalm 89:20). The LORD God (Yahweh) was present with David with His gracious blessing, and He defeated all David’s enemies and made David’s name famous and victorious (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:13-16; 2 Samuel 5:10; 2 Samuel 7:3, 9; 2 Samuel 8:6, 14; 1 Chronicles 17:8; Acts 7:45-46). David became the servant of the LORD (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:5, 8, 25-29). Even before David officially took office as king of Israel and Judah, the people knew David was selected and anointed by the living LORD God as the true king of Israel and Judah (e.g. 1 Samuel 21:10-11; 1 Samuel 24:20; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:3).

Before David, Saul was the first king of Israel selected by the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth (see 1 Samuel 9:15-17; 1 Samuel 10:1, 24). Judges initially ruled the ancient Israelites until the time of Samuel the prophet (e.g., see Acts 13:20). Then, the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul from tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years as Israel’s first king (e.g., see 1 Samuel 8:5; Acts 13:21). The LORD God blessed Saul with a new heart and filled Saul with His powerful Spirit (see 1 Samuel 10:1, 9-10). In the beginning, Saul was humble, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else (see1 Samuel 10:22-23). Saul was tall and handsome.

However, Saul was later rejected by the living LORD God. Sadly, Saul became unfaithful and rebellious toward the LORD God and His instructions (see 1 Samuel 13:13-14). Furthermore, Saul became impatient, impulsive, rebellious, and failed under pressure (see 1 Samuel 13:6-12; 1 Samuel 14:24; 1 Samuel 15:3-9). Saul’s hastiness and disobedience revealed his inner weakness: his willingness to compromise the living LORD God’s directions under pressure. Even worse, Saul consulted a medium instead of seeking the LORD for guidance and direction (see 1 Samuel 15:11, 22-25; 1 Samuel 28:6-7; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Even more, Saul became jealous of David (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:6-8, 16).

Therefore, the LORD God rejected and removed Saul from His kingship over His people Israel and Judah (see 1 Samuel 15:26-27; 1 Samuel 28:16-19; Acts 13:22). Moreover, the LORD God removed His love and Holy Spirit from Saul, and He filled Saul with various evil spirits – fear, torment, deception, terror, and depression (1 Samuel 16:14-16, 23; 1 Samuel 18:10, 12; 1 Samuel 19:9; 2 Samuel 7:15; see also 1 Kings 22:19-22). Then, the LORD turned Saul’s kingship over to His servant David, and He anointed David as Saul’s replacement (see 1 Samuel 15:23, 35; 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Chronicles 10:14: 1 Chronicles 12:23). Hence, the living LORD God replaced Saul with David, a man about whom He found David as a man after His own heart and obedient to His commands and guidance (e.g., see Acts 13:22).

Who was David? The Holy Scriptures described David as Israel and Judah’s greatest king. David reigned as king for forty years over Israel and Judah from 1011-971 BC (see 1 Kings 2:11; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1-5). He was thirty years old when he began to reign as king (see 2 Samuel 5:4). David was born in 1040 BC. David was the youngest son of Jesse, who lived in Bethlehem, and he was a shepherd (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:1, 10-13; 1 Samuel 17:12-15; 1 Chronicles 2:13-15). Importantly, David was courageous, and he patiently relied upon the living LORD God for his strength (e.g., see 1 Samuel 17:34-37).

David was first privately anointed king by the LORD through His prophet Samuel (see 1 Samuel 16:13). Then, David became king over the tribe of Judah (see 2 Samuel 2:4), and finally he was crowned king overall Israel (see 2 Samuel 5:1-5). David did not become king overall Israel until he was 37 years old, although he had been promised the kingdom many years earlier (1 Samuel 16:13). During those years, David waited patiently for the fulfillment of the LORD’s promise!

David did what was pleasing and right in the eyes of the LORD, and David obeyed the LORD’s commands all the days of his life (e.g., see 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 11:4, 15-17; 2 Samuel 12:9-10; 1 Kings 15:5; 1 Kings 11:34). Moreover, David was kind-hearted and generous, and he was filled with integrity and good motives (e.g., 1 Chronicles 18:11; 1 Chronicles 29:16-17). Even more, David was a courageous and brave warrior, humble, handsome, accepting of others, and filled with good judgment (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:12, 18; 1 Samuel 17:42; 1 Samuel 22:1-2; 1 Samuel 29:9; 1 Samuel 30:23-25; 1 Chronicles 29:3-5). Furthermore, David was loyal, and he showed good deeds and gave mercy towards others, even his enemies that tried to hurt and harm him (e.g., see 1 Samuel 24:11-12, 16-22; 2 Samuel 19:6, 19-23; 1 Chronicles 18:14). David gathered a band of underprivileged people around him, who would later become an effective fighting force (e.g., see 1 Samuel 22:2-3; 1 Samuel 23:5; 1 Samuel 27:8).

Importantly, David continually honored and respected the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and David acknowledged the living LORD God reigns and controls the earth (e.g., see 1 Samuel 17:41-50; 2 Samuel 6:9; 2 Samuel 7:26-28; 1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 25-31; 1 Chronicles 17:24; 1 Chronicles 28:9-10). David wanted to build a Temple that brought honor to the LORD’s Name (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 22:6-7). Even more, David continually sought the LORD God for daily guidance in his decisions, and David obeyed the LORD God’s voice (e.g., see 1 Samuel 23:1-2, 4, 12; 2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19, 23). Truly, David LOVED the LORD God with his whole heart (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37).

The living LORD God made David strong, powerful, victorious, and He was with David with His gracious blessing (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 18:12; 2 Samuel 3:1; 2 Samuel 5:10, 19, 22-25; 2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Chronicles 11:9; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 1 Chronicles 14:1-2, 11-12, 16; 1 Chronicles 18:6). The living LORD God’s presence protected David (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:10-12). David enjoyed the LORD’s favor because of David’s faithfulness and loyalty to Him and goodness towards others (e.g., see Acts 7:46; Acts 13:22).[2] In fact, people considered David blameless and as “perfect as an angel of God” (e.g., see 1 Samuel 29:9). The Holy Scriptures describe David as wise as an angel with good understanding (see 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 19:27).

As king, David gave fairness, kindness, and goodness towards all his people, and he kept the ways of the LORD and encouraged others to do the same (e.g., see 2 Samuel 8:15; 2 Samuel 9:1, 7; 2 Samuel 22:21-28). David courageously led and shepherded the LORD’s people Israel and Judah (see 1 Chronicles 11:2; Ezekiel 34:20-24). During his reign, King David ruled the united people of Israel and Judah with fairness, truth, and justice (see 1 Chronicles 18:14). Thus, David took his place in the roll call of faith as a great person after the LORD God’s own heart and did His will (see Acts 13:22; Hebrews 11:32). Importantly, David foresaw the coming Messiah in his many Psalms and called the Jesus the Messiah his “Lord” (e.g., see Psalm 16:10; Psalm 22:18; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:41-45; Luke 20:42-44). Some of David’s greatest achievements came in the literary realm where he composed 73 of the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament.

Sadly, David lapsed into a series of failures during his lifetime including killing seven innocent descendants of Saul (see 2 Samuel 21:7-9). Notably, David experienced a moment of weakness and disobedience with a beautiful woman named Bathsheba, who would later become David’s wife (see 2 Samuel 11:2-6). During this moment of rebellion, David disobeyed the LORD’s commands by engaging in an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba who at the time was married to another man, Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11:3-4). David coveted and stole Uriah’s wife Bathsheba and then David later murdered Uriah (2 Samuel 11:14-12:10; see also Exodus 20:13-17). Because of David’s disobedience towards the LORD and His moral commands, the LORD caused his household to rebel against him (see 2 Samuel 12:11-12). David did confess his sins against the LORD with Bathsheba and Uriah to the prophet Nathan and the LORD forgave David (2 Samuel 12:13; see also Psalm 51:1-12; Ezekiel 18:21, 23; 27-28; 1 John 1:9).

However, the LORD still caused David to reap and experience the consequences of sin and rebellion. Because of his sins, David had conflicts within his family. David saw scheming, sexual sins, and murder within his household, resulting in his isolation from and eventual departure before his son, Absalom. David’s first son with Bathsheba later died, his beautiful daughter Tamar was raped by her half-brother Amnon, and Tamar’s brother Absalom later killed Amnon (see 2 Samuel 12:14; 2 Samuel 13:1-39). Next, David’s son Absalom temporarily stole David’s kingship and caused David to flee his own home (see 2 Samuel 15:1-14). After David’s season of divine judgment, the LORD God restored David to his kindship, and David continued proclaiming the LORD God’s praise and goodness to others (e.g., see Psalm 51:13-17). The Holy Scriptures are clear: the LORD God corrects and disciplines those He loves with the rod by using other people to punish, so they would follow His righteous ways (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 89:30-32; Hebrews 12:7; Revelation 21:7).

As David’s death approached, he instructed his son Solomon to be strong and courageous and ALWAYS obey and honor the living and sovereign LORD God and carefully follow all His ways, decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Holy Scriptures with ALL HIS HEART AND SOUL (1 Kings 2:1-3; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Joshua 1:6-9; Ezekiel 18:Matthew 22:37-40). King David knew that wholehearted and courageous faithfulness, TRUST, and obedience to the living and sovereign LORD God and all His ways would lead to success in all one does and wherever one goes (1 Kings 2:3-4; 1 Chronicles 22:12-13; see also Deuteronomy 29:9). Even more important, King David informed Solomon that his humble and wholehearted obedience, TRUST, and truth to the living and sovereign LORD God would cause one of his descendants to always sit on the throne of Israel forever (1 Kings 2:4; see also Deuteronomy 17:19-20; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 8:25-26; 1 Chronicles 17:10-15, 17; 2 Chronicles 13:5; 2 Chronicles 21:7; Psalm 89:20-38; Psalm 132:11-12; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 33:17, 20-22).  

David emphasized to his son Solomon that he and his descendants must have an unshakable loyalty to the living LORD God and His Word and make the LORD God and His laws the center of his personal life and government (see 1 Kings 2:3-4). As mentioned earlier, David understood the importance of wholeheartedly and humbly obeying and trusting in the sovereign LORD God and His commands because he personally experienced the consequence of disobedience when he sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (e.g., see 2 Samuel 11:14-12:10; see also Exodus 20:13-17; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Kings 15:5).

The living LORD God loved David. David was a “man of God” (see 2 Chronicles 8:14), and the LORD God (Yahweh) was “the God of David” (see 2 Kings 20:5). Although David passed from the historical scene after his death, David’s legacy has never been forgotten. David was the role model for Israel and Judah’s subsequent kings and leaders (e.g., see 1 Kings 3:14; 1 Kings 11:4, 6; 1 Kings 14:8; 1 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 14:3). After David’s death, all of Israel and Judah’s subsequent kings and leaders were measured by David’s standards of wholehearted faithfulness and obedience to the LORD God (e.g., see 1 Kings 14:8; 1 Kings 9:4; 1 Kings 11:4, 33, 38; 1 Kings 15:3; Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:34).

However, none of Israel and Judah’s kings fully lived up to David’s wholehearted faithfulness and obedience to the LORD (e.g., see 1 Kings 12:25-28; 1 Kings 14:8, 21-24). NONE of Israel’s kings in the ten northern tribes wholeheartedly followed the living LORD God and His moral ways (e.g., see 2 Kings 16:2; 2 Kings 17:7-23). In the southern kingdom of Israel – Judah, there were several good kings like Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah but even those good kings of Judah did not wholeheartedly follow the living LORD God and all His commands as written in the law of Moses (e.g., see 1 Kings 3:3; 1 Kings 22:43-44; 2 Kings 18:1-7; 2 Kings 22:1-2).[3]

Essential, the leaders or shepherds Israel and Judah did not wholeheartedly love and obey the living LORD God nor teach the people to obey the LORD God’s morals ways (e.g., see Isaiah 56:9-12; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:9-11, 13, 32; Ezekiel 13:1-14:11; Ezekiel 22:23-31; Micah 3:5; Zephaniah 3:4; Zechariah 10:2-3). Even worse, these careless, lying, and greedy leaders neglected God’s people and focused on themselves while allowing God’s people to be abused, abandoned, attacked, and scattered by wolves (e.g., see Jeremiah 23:1-3; Ezekiel 34:1-10). The role of every leader or shepherd of God’s people were to ensure the safety, feeding, loving-kindness, and well-being of the people, like servant David (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 11:2; 1 Chronicles 18:14l John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-4).

Despite Israel and Judah’s leadership failures, the living LORD God had made an everlasting covenant with David. The living LORD God maintained His promise to David that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 11:13, 36; 1 Chronicles 17:11; 2 Chronicles 21:7). Even as Israel rebuilt the Temple – the Second Temple after Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian army in 586 BC, they followed “the ordinance of David king of Israel (see Ezra 3:10).

So, the Old Testament writers began looking for the Sovereign LORD God and His faithful Shepherd (Ruler) from David’s family of Judah that would come and care for God’s people (e.g., see 2 Samuel 5:1-2; Psalm 23:1; Jeremiah 23:3-6; Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-30; Ezekiel 37:22, 24-25; Micah 5:2, 4; Matthew 2:6; John 10:11-16; Revelation 7:17). The Old Testament writers began to look forward to a future Messiah-King from David’s family line of Judah that would shepherd, love, and care for God’s united people and lead them to worship and obey the living LORD God (e.g., see Ezekiel 34:22-24; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 5:2-4; see also John 10:11-16).

Many of the true Old Testament prophets had the privilege of seeing the ruling Judge and King – the living LORD God Almighty (e.g., see Exodus 24:9-11; 1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 82:1; Isaiah 6:1-5; Jeremiah 48:15; Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9-10; 1 Peter 4:5). The Old Testament writers held onto the LORD of Heaven’s Armies’ great promise (covenant) He made with David, and they predicted a good, wise, just, honest, and moral Messiah-King and Priest would Branch from David’s family line and lead the people as our Righteous LORD and King forever (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:10-15, 17, 25-27; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:14-22).[4]

As mentioned earlier, the living LORD God had made an everlasting covenant (promise) with David that He would make an eternal house for him — a dynasty of kings or Kingdom that would continue forever from one of his sons from his body (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:11-12, 19, 27; 2 Samuel 23:5; 1 Chronicles 17:10-15; Psalm 132:11-12; Psalm 89:3-4, 28-29; 35-37; 2 Chronicles 6:16; 2 Chronicles 7:18; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 33:17). The LORD God’s great promise to David looked back to Jacob’s promise to his son Judah, which means “praise,” that a scepter (or king) would never depart from his family until He to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be His (Genesis 49:10; see also Genesis 35:23; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Micah 5:2; Revelation 5:5).[5] Even more, the LORD God’s great promise to David looked back to Balaam’s vision of seeing a great Star from Jacob and a Scepter (or King) rising out of Israel that will exercise dominion (Numbers 24:17, 19; see also Matthew 2:2; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16).

The Old Testament writers predicted the coming Messiah-King would reign and rule the people with fairness, justice, peace, goodness, and humility (e.g., see Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 32:1; Zechariah 9:9-10). Even more, the Old Testament writers predicted a great King from David’s family line would not only rule the Jewish people but the entire world (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 2:4; Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 132:11-12; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Micah 5:2)! The Messiah-King and Priest would be called the Righteous Branch from the Root of Jesse and God’s Servant, and He would build the Temple of the LORD and be called Son of God (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 17:12-14; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12-13; Mark 1:11; Luke 1:31-33; Hebrews 1:1-5). The Old Testament books of Chronicles knew the living LORD God would keep His promise to give His people kingly leadership forever. This is one of the reasons the New Testament takes the trouble to show that Jesus was descended from David.[6]

After David’s death, the LORD God’s promises given to David that one of his sons from his body will set on his throne initially pointed to his son, Solomon (see 1 Kings 8:20). David’s son Solomon built a beautiful Temple or house for the LORD God Almighty (e.g., see 1 Kings 5:2-5; 1 Kings 8:17-21; Acts 7:47). Ultimately, the living LORD God promised David that He would raise up a Seed or Descendant after him, and He would establish His Kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16; see also Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 13:23; 2 Timothy 2:8). This great Seed of David would rule God’s Kingdom with peace, justice, and righteousness (e.g., see Psalm 89:14, 18; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1-5; Ezekiel 37:24-25). The living LORD God promised to be the great Seed of David’s Father, and the Seed of David would be His Son (2 Samuel 7:14; see also Psalm 89:26-27; Matthew 3:17; John 1:48-49; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-5; Hebrews 5:5). Importantly, the Seed of David would reign and rule over all kings of the world as King of kings and LORD of all lords (e.g., see Psalm 2:6-7; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 19:16). Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD’s love and power would always be with the Seed of David (Messiah) forever (2 Samuel 7:15; see also Psalm 89:21, 28, 33, 49; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14, 27; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15).

So, the people of God looked forward to the great King promised to David’s family (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 8:25-26; Psalm 132:11-12). When the New Testament opens, you can feel the expectations of the people! The people – both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) had been awaiting the arrival of the great King from David’s family – the hope of the world (e.g., see Isaiah 11:1, 10; Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 12:18-21; Luke 2:25-32; Luke 3:15; Romans 15:12). Between the last Old Testament prophet Malachi and the New Testament book Matthew, there had been over 400 years of silence. During these 400 years, the Jews were no longer ruled by their own king but by foreign powers – the Babylonians, then the Persians, the Greeks, and finally the Romans. The Jewish people and the world were waiting for the arrival of their King and Messiah!

Many people wondered if the LORD God would keep His promise to David after He allowed the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BC and Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC by the Babylonians. After the Assyrian and Babylonians invasions, some people believed there would be an end of the independent political rule of the Davidic kings. However, the Sovereign LORD continued the line of David during Israel and Judah’s exile (see 2 Kings 25:27-30) and afterward with the governorship of Zerubbabel and others (see Haggai 1:1; Matthew 1:12-16).

When the New Testaments opens, the Gospel writers and many others proclaimed the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s prophecies with the arrival of Jesus, who they proclaimed was the long-awaited Son of David and King (e.g., see Matthew 1:1, 17; Matthew 2:2, 6; Matthew 9:27; Luke 1:27, 32, 69-70; Luke 19:38; John 1:49; John 7:42; Acts 2:30; Acts 13:23; Romans 1:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 5:5). As mentioned above, the living LORD God had promised through His Old Testament prophets that the line of Davidic kings would one day be reestablished (e.g., see Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15-17; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:25; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11). With the coming of Jesus – who is the ultimate descendant of David and King of the Jews, the living LORD God fulfilled and kept His promise (e.g., see Matthew 27:11, 37; Mark 15:2, 9, 12, 18, 26; Luke 23:3, 38; John 18:33-34; John 19:14, 19-22; Acts 2:22-36; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16). Many people, particularly the Gospel writers, wrote accounts about the events that were fulfilled when Jesus arrived the first time (e.g., see Luke 1:1).

In fact during His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed that King David, who was also a prophet of God, predicted that the coming future King and Messiah from his family line would also be David’s Lord (e.g., see Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44; Acts 2:30). Jesus’ final words in Revelation declared that He was the Offspring of King David (see Revelation 22:16). Truly, the eternal God keeps His promises!

As the Old Testament prophets predicted, the Apostle Paul declared that Jesus was descended of the Jewish royal line through David according to the human flesh (Romans 1:2-3; Romans 3:21; 2 Timothy 2:8; see also Matthew 1:1).[7] The Apostle Paul goes on to proclaim that Jesus was declared to be the Son of the eternal living God in power according to the Holy Spirit by His resurrection from complete death after His suffering for the world’s sins (Romans 1:4; see also Matthew 1:21-23; Matthew 16:16; Acts 2:24, 29-32; Acts 9:20; Acts 3:18; Acts 10:38, 43; Acts 13:29-37; Acts 17:31; Acts 26:22-23). With this statement of faith, the Apostle Paul declares his agreement with the teaching of all Scripture and of the apostles of a coming Great King from David’s family (e.g., see Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 21:4-9; Mark 11:7-10; Luke 11:7-10; John 12:12-15).

Jesus is the Heir of all things and radiance of glory, as the only begotten Son of the living LORD God (e.g., see Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18; John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-5). While on earth, Jesus was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph but He was in fact the Messiah-King and Son of the living and eternal LORD God (see Matthew 2:2; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 16:16; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 3:23; John 1:1-5, 14-18). John 20:30-31).[8] Thus, Jesus is far more than a human descendant of King David because Jesus is Lord and God in human flesh – both Divine and human (e.g., see Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; John 1:1-5, 14, 18; Roman 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:6). Thus, Jesus is the King and true Messiah (the “Christ” or “Christos,” also known as the “Anointed One” filled with the Spirit) promised from David’s family line (Matthew 1:1, 16-17, 21-23; Mark 1:1; see also 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Zechariah 9:9-11; Mark 8:29; John 1:41, 49; John 4:25-26).[9] One day, the Lord Jesus will reign and rule from Zion (Jerusalem) and bring peace and prosperity to the world (e.g., see Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15). Truly, the eternal God keeps His promises!

In the New Testament, the first Messianic title given to Jesus is King, who descended from the Son of David (e.g., see Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:27, 31-33, 69; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 2:4; John 1:49). This title for Jesus provides a major link between the Old Testament and the New Testament. In fact, both Matthew's and Luke’s genealogies go through great efforts to establish that Jesus originated from David (see Matthew 1:6-9, 20; Luke 2:4; Luke 3:31). This allowed early believers in Jesus to claim the Old Testament promises that there would always be an heir to King David's throne, who would be filled with God’s Spirit and grace (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11-12; Zechariah 12:10; Romans 1:3). In reality, when Jesus walked the earth, the crowds and individuals often used the title “Son of David” (e.g., see Matthew 9:27; Matthew 12:23; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 20:30-31; Matthew 21:9, 15; Matthew 22:42; Mark 10:47; Luke 18:38-39). Even more, Jesus was called “King” by the people (e.g., see Matthew 27:11, 42; Mark 15:2, 9, 12, 18, 26, 32; John 12:13; see also Zechariah 9:9-10).

Indeed, Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) and our Lord and Savior as predicted by the Old Testament prophets (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Matthew 16:16; 20; Luke 2:10-11; John 11:27; Acts 2:36; Acts 5:31; Acts 9:22; Acts 10:36; Acts 13:23, 26-28; Romans 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:5). More important, Jesus is the holy Son of the living LORD God (e.g., see Matthew 16:16; Luke 1:31-32, 35; John 20:30-31). The living LORD God of heaven has given His Son Jesus the throne of His ancestor David, and Jesus will reign over His Kingdom forever (e.g., see Luke 1:32-33). All authority on both heaven and earth has been given to God’s Son – Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; John 17:2).

The eternal King, who is the living LORD God, sent His Son Jesus into the world to save sinners through their repentance – turning from sins and turning to God (e.g., see John 8:11; John 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 1:15, 17; Revelation 4:9-10; Revelation 15:3). Jesus repeatedly declared His Father’s message of faith in Him and turning from sin to all people – saints and sinners alike (e.g., see Matthew 4:17; Matthew 9:13; Mark 1:14-15; Mark 2:17; Luke 19:10; John 5:14; John 8:11; John 9:41). Through faith in Jesus and repentance, we receive the living LORD God of heaven’s forgiveness of sins, righteousness, glorious light, adoption, and grace (e.g., see John 1:12-14; 16-18; Acts 13:38-39, 43; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:5). Furthermore, through our wholehearted faith in Jesus, the living LORD God fills our hearts with love that comes from Christ Jesus and eternal life (e.g., see 1 Timothy 1:14, 16). The Lord Jesus is with us ALWAYS through faith in Him because Jesus is “God with us” and He cares for ALL God’s people (e.g., see Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20; John 12:26; Acts 18:9-10).

Even more, the Sovereign LORD God sent His only begotten Son Jesus to shepherd, save, care for, heal, and love His people – ALL PEOPLE, whether you are Jew, Gentiles (non-Jews or Greek), Muslin, Buddhist, Hindu, black, white, young, old, male, female, heterosexual, homosexual, etc. (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:36-38; Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 15:29-32; Luke 2:10, 31-32; Luke 19:10; John 1:26; John 10:11-16; Acts 10:36; Acts 11:18; Acts 28:28; 1 John 4:14). Jesus the Messiah is the Savior and Shepherd of the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31). As mentioned earlier, the previous leaders and shepherds of God’s people had failed their responsibility to the people (e.g., see Ezekiel 34:1-10).

Sadly, when Jesus walked the earth, some people and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had predicted. Instead, many people and their religious leaders condemned Jesus, and in doing this they fulfilled the Old Testament prophets’ words (e.g., see Luke 24:27, 44-47; Acts 13:27-28). Jesus’s Father – the living LORD God – raised Jesus from complete death and gave Jesus holy and sure blessings of David (e.g., see Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:30-34).

However, many others in the first century accepted Jesus and announced His coming, particularly Jesus’ relative, John (e.g., see Luke 1:17, 36). Jesus and John had an eternal connection, much like David and Jonathan (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 1 Samuel 20:12-16; 1 Samuel 23:16-17). Like Jesus and his cousin John, David and Jonathan had a close friendship and eternal covenant bond (see 1 Samuel 19:1, 4; 1 Samuel 20:16-17; 2 Samuel 1:26). Jonathan encouraged, protected, and loved David (e.g., see 1 Samuel 20:16-17; 1 Samuel 23:15-18).[10] John turned many people to the living LORD God and His Son, Jesus the Messiah, who is the Light of the world and Sun of Righteousness (e.g., see Isaiah 9:2; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:16, 78; John 8:12; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:14).

John was a prophet of the living LORD God, and he prepared the way for Jesus and proclaimed to EVERYONE that they can find salvation and forgiveness of their sins through repentance and faith Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 1:76-77; Luke 3:4-6).[11] Even more, John’s father Zechariah proclaimed that the living LORD God had visited and redeemed His people through Christ Jesus the Savior as promised through His holy prophets long ago (e.g., see Luke 1:67-70, 78; Luke 7:16).

Even more, when Jesus was just eight days old, His earthly parent Joseph and Mary were met by two good, righteous, and devout believers of God – Simeon and Anna (see Luke 2:25, 37). Both Simeon and Anna immediately recognized the Baby Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah promised from the living LORD God that would bring salvation to the nations (see Luke 2:25-38). Simeon and Anna, along with many others, had been waiting expectantly many years for the long-awaited Messiah, who would be the consolation (comfort or help) and redemption (salvation) of Israel (Luke 2:25, 30, 38; see also Luke 3:6, 15; Luke 23:50-51; Luke 24:21). Upon seeing Baby Jesus, Simeon and Anna announced to Joseph and Mary that their Baby Jesus would be a Light to reveal God to ALL NATIONS, Redeemer, and the glory of Israel (Luke 2:32, 38; see also Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; Luke 1:68; John 1:4; John 8:12). As a child, Jesus was filled with wisdom and God’s grace (favor), and He focused on revealing His Father – the living LORD God to ALL NATIONS so EVERYONE can find God’s salvation, grace, and hope (e.g., see Isaiah 40:5; Luke 1:69, 71, 77; Luke 2:20, 49, 52; John 4:34; John 5:36; Titus 2:11). Jesus is the grace, hope, and salvation sent from God (e.g., see Luke 3:6; Titus 2:11-15).

In summary, the New Testament writers tells the story of Jesus not only as the Son of God (e.g., see Matthew 16:16) but also the Son of King David (e.g., see Matthew 1:1; Revelation 22:16). Here’s MORE GOOD NEWS because there are some Old Testament prophecies yet to be fulfilled. In expectation, ALL PEOPLE – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) are expecting Jesus the Messiah to come out of the same mold and model as the great Jewish king David as Warrior to defeat Israel enemies and finally bring peace to the world (e.g., see Isaiah 61:1-2; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 14:6, 9, 16; Luke 24:21; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16).[12] Then, God’s faithful people – Israel and Judah – will be taken from out of the nations, reunited, and restored to their land in prosperity and serve under one King (e.g., see Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 11:11-12; Isaiah 14:1, 2; Jeremiah 23:3-8; Ezekiel 34:20-24; Ezekiel 37:12, 15-28; Hosea 2:14-16; Joel 3:1-8; Amos 9:11-15; Acts 15:14-17; Romans 11:26, 27).[13] The living LORD God and His Son, Jesus the Messiah, will reign, rule, and live as King amongst His faithful people forever in the land of Palestine (e.g., see Ezekiel 48:35; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:3). 

References

Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Butler, Trent C. Holman Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1991).

Douglas, J.D. and Tenney, Merrill. NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 1989).

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[1] The living LORD God Almighty sends poverty and wealth, and He humbles and exalts. The LORD God can raise up the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and seats them with princes with honor. For the foundations of the earth are controlled by the LORD GOD (see 1 Samuel 2:7-8).

[2] Truly, wisdom, discernment, wealth and honor come from the LORD God alone for He rules over everything (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 29:12). Power and might are in the LORD’s Hand (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 20:6). The LORD alone gives those who are humble, obedient, and faithful to Him greatness, long life, riches, daily food, strength, fame, and a wise and discerning heart (e.g., see 1 Kings 3:3-15; 2 Chronicles 1:2-13; Ezekiel 16:10-15; Matthew 6:11; Romans 11:36). Moreover, the LORD God rewards everyone for their goodness, humility, and faithfulness towards Him and goodness and humility towards others (e.g., see 2 Samuel 22:25 1 Samuel 26:23; Psalm 24:3-4; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). To the faithful and pure, the LORD shows Himself faithful and pure (e.g., see 2 Samuel 22:26-27). The LORD rescues and save those who humbly look to Him for help (e.g., see 2 Samuel 22:28).

The living LORD God delights in everyone who practices faithful lovingkindness, justice, truth, and righteousness in the earth because these are His qualities – justice, truth, and righteousness (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 36:5, 7; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 5:7, 16; Jeremiah 9:24; Micah 6:6-8; Galatians 5:22-23). Even more, the living LORD God wants everyone to be circumcised not only in their physical bodies (flesh) but in their whole hearts and spirits as devoted to Him (e.g., see Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 26:41; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 9:25; Romans 2:28-29; Ephesians 2:11; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11). The living LORD God wants everyone to know Him personally and live a life that reflects His justice, righteousness, and love in the world.

[3] HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS:  Jesus the Messiah (Christ) FULFILLED all the living LORD God’s requirements because He humbly and courageously obeyed and honored His Father, the living and sovereign LORD God, and carefully followed all His ways, decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Holy Scriptures with all His heart and soul! Jesus NEVER sinned (e.g., see 1 John 3:5).

[4] The New Testament, and particularly the book of Hebrews, teaches that these promises were fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, who is both Priest and King.

[5] Jesus Christ (Messiah) is called “the Lion from the tribe of Judah” (see Revelation 5:5).

[6] In fact, the Apostle Paul affirmed that the eternal God promised this Good News long ago through his Old Testament prophets (see Romans 1:2). Though the Apostle Paul taught that through faith in Jesus we are free from the Law of Moses, he still operated within the spirit of the Law.

[7] Importantly, Jesus is also the Son of Abraham, who is the father of all Jews, and the Seed of Abraham that blesses the world through faith in Him (e.g., see Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16).

[8] Joseph was Jesus’ legal or though not natural father and establishes Jesus’ claim and rights to the throne of David (see Matthew 1:6; Luke 2:4; Luke 3:23).

[9] Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One. The name “Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the Lord is salvation.”

[10] The Holy Scriptures indicate that Jonathan and David loved each other deeply; but there was no indication of David and Jonathan engaging within a homosexual relationship as such activity is forbidden (e.g., see Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; Jude 1:7). Jonathan and David were great friends, fellow soldiers, brothers-in-law, and brothers in the faith, but they were not homosexual “lovers.” In fact, the Holy Scriptures teaches that David loved many wives, acquired concubines as the ancient Israelite custom, and he birth many children (e.g., see 2 Samuel 3:2-5, 14-16; 2 Samuel 5:13-14; 2 Samuel 15:161 Chronicles 3:1-9; 1 Chronicles 14:3-7). Notably, David’s son Solomon also loved many women (e.g., see 1 Kings 11:4). However, the LORD God did not approve of David's departure from His plan for marriage of one man and one woman and David’s love of many women would later lead into destructive consequences and rivalries amongst his many wives and children (e.g., see 2 Samuel 13:1-32; 1 Kings 2:17-25).

[11] John the Baptist’s message to the people was repentance – turning from a life of evil and living a life of goodness and kindness towards one another. The message of repentance was continued by the Lord Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 21:32). Moreover, the Lord Jesus’ apostles continued His message of repentance after Jesus returned to heaven (e.g., see Acts 2:37-38). Even more, John continued the message of the LORD’s Old Testament prophets of sharing, loving, and doing good for others as well as diligence (Luke 3:10-14; see also e.g., Isaiah 58:6-14; Ezekiel 18:5-9; 1 Timothy 6:17-18; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17). Most important, John encouraged everyone to obey the LORD’s commands of not stealing, lying, cheating, and exploiting others (Luke 3:14; see also e.g., Exodus 20:16; Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:28).

[12] The Messiah was often called David because He is David’s descendant. David was a good king, but Jesus the Messiah is the perfect King and Lord (Ezekiel 37:24-25; see also Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16).

[13] In approximately 931 BC, the of twelve tribes of Israel split into two separate nations with the ten tribes in the northern kingdom called Israel and two tribes in the southern kingdom, called Judah (see 1 Kings 11:9-13, 26-33; 1 Kings 12:1-14:31).