2 Samuel 7: 8 29 The Davidic Covenant

Target year level: Year Eight

Scripture text

Introduction

The Books of Samuel in the Old Testament, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, were originally one book. The division into two books is the work of the translators of the Septuagint, the pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament. Modern versions of the Bible follow this division into two books. The title of these books has varied from time to time and other titles are The First and Second Books of Kingdoms (Septuagint), First and Second Kings (Vulgate) and First and Second Samuel (Hebrew tradition and most modern versions of the Bible). For further information on the background themes and structure of the Books of Samuel see the The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), Books of Samuel

World behind the text

The Books of Samuel narrate a history of the People of Israel under the kingship of Saul and the kingship of David (1105 BCEto 970 BCE). Scholars generally hold that an early version of the history was composed in the time of King Hezekiah (8th century BCE). The greater part of the Books of Samuel dates from the time of Hezekiah’s grandson Josiah at the end of the 7^thcentury BCE. Further sections were added during the Babylonian exile (597 - 538 BCE). There is internal evidence that there is editing as late as the Hellenistic period (323 -31BCE).

The 6th century editors responsible for the bulk of the history drew on many earlier sources in compiling the history contained in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. These editors were interpreting the personalities and events recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel from a theological point of view in the light of the Covenantbetween Israel and their God. Because of their Covenant with Yahweh and their religious sense of themselves as the Chosen People of God, the Jewish people were ambivalent about having highly political and all too fallible kings to rule over them. In religious terms, the people of Israel thought of themselves as a Theocracy based on their religious Covenant with their God. However, at a political and practical level, they needed a strong ruler and a military leader to strengthen and protect them against their enemies. For further information see Kingship in Israel.

World of the text

2 Samuel 7:8-29 is a record of the Davidic Covenantestablishing David and his descendants as kings of the United Monarchy of Israel. The text is in two parts. In the first part, Yahweh, through Nathan his messenger, reminds David of what he has done and will do in the future to preserve and protect the kingship of Israel in David’s line. In the second part, David, with suitable humility and gratitude, acknowledges the works of Yahweh on behalf of the People of Israel and asks for God’s blessing while promising to exercise his kingship in fidelity to the Covenant.

World in front of the text

in Matthew’s Genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17), the house and royal line of David is important in establishing Jesus’ ancestry and identity as the Messiah from the house of David who would come to save Israel. From a Christian point of view, Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the one who brings to ultimate fulfilment the Davidic Covenant. For Christians, the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah established under the reign of David is brought to its fullest, deepest and most universal meaning in the Kingdom of God, proclaimed by Jesus and united under Christ as King of Heaven and Earth. Jewish people, on the other hand, still await the Messiah who will bring the Davidic Covenant to its fulfilment.