2 Samuel 7:12-13
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Moses was the leader Israel never expected, but David was the king for which they begged. He was a man of courage, faith, and compassion, a fearless leader who sought to honor the Lord above all else. David loved the Lord, and Israel loved David.
But just like Moses, David was a flawed man. He fell into sin, committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, the king was broken, repenting and begging forgiveness from God. He remained king, but the consequences of his sin eventually tore his kingdom apart.
And so Israel continued to wait for the Promised King, the one whose kingdom would last forever.
But who would have imagined that their king would be born in a manger? That he would be raised as a carpenter? That his battles would not be against rival nations, but against oppression, injustice, self-righteousness, and sin? That he would wash the feet of those he led? That he would give his own life for his people? Yes, the promised king did come…but not as anyone had expected.
But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
- Hebrews 1:8-9
