From the Cradle to the Crown

In the modern age we are used to announcements.  Whether it is through print media, digital media, social media, shopping centre public address systems or even the church newsletter, we are used to receiving important announcements.  But the most important announcement was made approximately 2,000 years ago as recorded in Luke 2:11: For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.  But this Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths would not just be born in the city of David, He is prophesied to one day rule from the throne of David.

In 2 Samuel 7, we read of three major eternal promises that God, through the prophet Nathan, delivered to David.  Although the term “Davidic Covenant” is not used, it is clear from other passages that it is to be viewed as a divinely instituted covenant.  Psalm 89:3-4: I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: “Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations.”  The covenant made with David is unconditional in nature, which means that because of God’s faithfulness to His Word, He will ensure its ultimate fulfilment.   

The three promises we have in view are all outlined in verse 16 of 2 Samuel 7: And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.  Your throne shall be established forever.  In summary, God first promised that David’s “house” (his physical line) would endure forever.  Second, God promised that David’s “kingdom” would never permanently pass away.  Third, God promised that David’s “throne” (indicative of the ruling authority that King David exercised) would also never permanently pass away.  This does not mean that one of David’s descendants had to have actual political authority at all times. It means that the royal Davidic family would always have the divine right to legitimate power over the nation.

In this way, it was an assurance from God Himself that a royal descendant of David would be able to ascend the throne and establish legitimate ruling authority when circumstances (and more importantly, God’s sovereign will) permitted it.

At this point it is necessary to understand the Biblical genealogies concerning David’s line.  Although it is tempting to skip over the long and boring genealogies in the Bible, it is necessary to understand the lineage when it comes to the legitimate right Jesus has to sit upon David’s throne.  After all, there are important prophecies in the Bible that confirm Messiah will exercise ruling authority from this very throne.  Take, for example, Isaiah 9:6-7: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.  Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgement and justice from that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

In 1 Chronicles 29:28, we are told that Solomon ascended to the throne after David’s death: So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.  Solomon died in approximately 931BC and over 300 years later (circa 597BC) a young 18-year-old named Jehoiachin (also called Coniah and Jeconiah) became king (2 Kings 24:8).  However, due to his wickedness, his reign was incredibly short, lasting only three months (2 Kings 24:8-9).  But the punishment would not end with deposition and exile to Babylon.  The deeper curse was laid out in Jeremiah 22:30: Thus says the LORD: “Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not prosper in his days; for none of his descendants shall prosper, sitting on the throne of David, and ruling anymore in Judah.”  Thus, the line of kings from David’s family ended with Jehoiachin—a fact that had ramifications for the future throne and fulfilment of prophecy.  Jehoiachin’s bloodline bore the legal rights to David’s throne, but it also bore the curse.  How could Jesus—David’s greater Son and long-expected Messiah—reign from David’s throne if the bloodline through the kings of Judah was cursed? 

In the New Testament we are made privy to two lineages.  Matthew 1:1-17 establishes an important family line and includes names such as Abraham, David, Solomon and Joseph (the husband of Mary).  It is in this line that Jehoiachin (rendered as Jeconiah) appears (Matthew 1:11-12). As Matthew traces the line of kings from David, this reveals Jesus to be the legal heir to David’s throne.  But what about Jehoiachin’s curse?  Quite simply, because Joseph was the legal father of Jesus but not His biological one, it means the curse was not transferred.

Furthermore, Luke’s account of the genealogy of Christ has similarities but also several key omissions: Solomon and Jehoiachin are absent. Instead, Nathan is mentioned (Luke 3:31).  Nathan was a lesser-known son of David and Bathsheba, yet he proves to be a significant figure in the lineage of King David because Mary is a direct descendant of his, thereby ensuring the curse is bypassed.  Bible scholar Charles Ryrie writes: Luke traces Jesus’ physical descent back through Mary and Nathan to David, bypassing Jeconiah’s line and showing accurately the fulfillment of this prophecy of Jeremiah. If Jesus had been born only in the line of Joseph (and thus of Jeconiah), He would not have been qualified to reign on the throne of David in the Millennium.

Although some favour the view that Jehoiachin repented which led to God lifting the curse, many of the sources which support this view are non-canonical.  Relying on the authority of Scripture, what we can see in the Matthew and Luke passages is that these dual genealogies serve distinct theological and legal purposes. Through Joseph’s line Jesus inherits the royal claim to the throne of David as the legal son of Joseph. Through Mary’s line, He is physically descended from David through a branch not under the curse. Thus, the Messianic qualifications of Jesus stand: He is a genuine descendant of David, free from any disqualification, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the messianic prophecies and His claim to the throne of David.

Nathan's presence in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the divine orchestration of history and the fulfillment of God's promises which have been given in detail throughout the Bible.  So, this Christmas, as you celebrate the cradle, make sure you also celebrate the fact that Jesus will wear the crown and rule from David’s throne, as revealed to Mary in Luke 1:32-33: He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.