The Promised MessiahSýnishorn

The Son of David

Read: 2 Samuel 7:8–13; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 1:1–17; 22:41–45

SOAP: Matthew 22:42

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said, “The son of David.”

Into the Text

David is considered Israel’s greatest king. He is called a man after God’s own heart. God clearly loved David, even though David often fell into sinful patterns in his life. David’s heart was fully committed to God, and he followed and worshiped God, repenting of his sin when he made mistakes.

God promised David that one of his descendants would always sit on the throne in Israel. This promise had nothing to do with David or anything he had done; it was all because of God’s faithfulness and kindness to him. Even though David’s descendants made mistakes and turned away from God, God kept His promise to David and preserved his family line. At the time Jesus was born, there was no descendant of David ruling over Israel, but God’s plan was to establish a new kingdom through Jesus.

The Jews kept careful genealogical records, records that showed that Jesus was a direct descendant of King David. Jesus did not come to establish the same type of kingdom that David had ruled over, but one that would be everlasting. This heavenly kingdom looked different because its King did not sit on an earthly throne.

David believed God’s promise to send a Messiah. Whether he understood that the Messiah would be one of his direct descendants or not is unclear. But what David did believe was that this Messiah would be Lord and that he would one day bow down and worship Him.

God made incredible promises about the Messiah. God was able to keep these promises, even promises that depended on the choices of ordinary people. God protected and preserved David’s family line in order for the Messiah to be of royal blood. Even though many, many people were involved in the fulfillment of the promise, nothing could thwart God’s plan. He is faithful, no matter how long it takes. He kept His promise to David that one of his descendants would forever sit on the throne, and He kept His promise to all His people to send a Messiah who would save us from our sin.