2 Samuel 7:11-17 – The King Is The Only Way
On one level, the promises of this chapter are about Solomon. In v14 there’s a provision for when the promised one commits iniquity, and obviously that can’t be true of Jesus. But although under Solomon the house of David reached it’s height – and Solomon ruled over even more land than David did, it didn’t last. By the next generation the kingdom was divided. And eventually the line of kings descended from David was at an end.
Yet the line of David continued. It’s right there in Matthew chapter 1. And 1000 years after God’s promises to David, a King is born who is able to perfectly fulfil them. He did come from David’s body – he was born in the line of David. He built a house – a kingdom for God’s name – and his Father established the throne of his kingdom forever. The Father’s steadfast love never departed from the son – and as a result we can be sure that it will never depart from us either. His throne really was established forever.
This chapter tells us that God’s king is at the centre of all God’s blessings. Who’s the covenant made with in this chapter? It’s made with the king on behalf of the people. There’s no access to God’s blessing unless you come through him. It’s the same today. If you want to know God’s smile upon you – if you want to know his blessing on your life – you have to come to him through Jesus. There is no other way. Jesus said: ‘I am the way, and the truth and the life: no-one comes to the Father except through me’.
You are part of a kingdom that: death can’t destroy; sin can’t stop; and time can’t annul. What are the things that weight heavily on you as you think to the week ahead? Or the next 6 months? Or the next year? Is it a fear of death either for yourself or for a loved one? That’s certainly the case for many people around us. But here’s a reminder that you belong to a kingdom that death can’t destroy. All death can do to a Christian is hasten them to their eternal reward.
Questions
- How does Jesus perfectly fulfil these promises?
- What is Jesus’ kingdom like?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that death cannot destroy Christ’s kingdom.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.