The Lord made several promises to David (through the prophet Nathan). Some of these promises include: David's name would be made great, Israel would have a permanent home, the Messiah would come from David's seed, and that his throne and kingdom would eventually be established forever.
- 2Sa 7:9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
- 2Sa 7:10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
- 2Sa 7:11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
- 2Sa 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
- 2Sa 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
- 2Sa 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
- 2Sa 7:15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
- 2Sa 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
- 2Sa 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
I’m not sure how many people are aware of this, but the Bible suggests that David himself may return to rule Israel in the future. Here is the evidence for David’s potential return.
Ezekiel 37:22-25 suggests that David may be the ruler of Israel at a time when the people of Israel will no longer defile themselves and dwell in the land of Israel.
- Eze 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
- Eze 37:23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
- Eze 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
- Eze 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
Hosea 3:4-5 and Jeremiah 30:8-10 give us a more definitive idea of when David may assume the role as ruler of Israel. David may assume the role as ruler of Israel after Jews scattered across the world return to the land of Israel, which you recall is likely going to take place after the Battle of Armageddon.
- Hos 3:4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
- Hos 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
- Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
- Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
- Jer 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
Finally, while he may be ruler of Israel, David will ultimately be subservient to God/Christ, who will rule the entire planet, including Israel (Psalms 2). Ezekiel 34:22-24 summarizes the relationship between David and God/Christ.
- Eze 34:22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.
- Eze 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
- Eze 34:24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
Like with my blog posts on Isaiah 11, what I’ve presented is just preliminary stuff. My thinking on the potential for David to return can change if someone finds a way to disprove what I’ve written or if I find a way to disprove what I’ve written. Feel free to disprove it if you can. I hope to have something on Psalms 89 coming up soon, which also mentions David...
