Faithful on Fridays Blog

Here in America we are not familiar with a monarchy because we are a republic. We’re not ruled by a king or queen but as Abraham Lincoln wrote in the Gettysburg Address; we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We read in the books of Samuel that Israel was never a republic: it was ruled by God Himself.

In these two books we find Israel rejecting God as their King and desiring to be like other nations yet God never rejected His original plan. Samuel was a prophet for two unlikely men chosen to represent Him: Saul and David. The first book of Samuel focuses on Saul and the second on David with the eternal promise:

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” (2 Samuel 7:16 ESV)

Who ever heard of an earthly king having someone on the throne forever? Simple. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come from the line of David and He will reign eternally. Finding Jesus in the books of Samuel is clear, in fact, Peter said this on the Day of Pentecost:

And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. (Acts 3:24 ESV)

Let’s look at David as a picture of Christ. He was a physical shepherd; Jesus was a spiritual shepherd (John 10:11). He was a warrior; Jesus is called a Man of War (Ex. 15:3 and Rev. 19:11). David was ‘man after God’s own heart’ (13:13-14); Jesus possessed God’s heart (John 17:21). David wanted to build God a temple but God had a higher plan: the temple would be in his heart. As the story flows from Samuel through Saul, and his ultimate rejection by God, we arrive at the point where God’s sovereign plan is inaugurated through David.

As you read through the New Testament watch for his references since they are given to direct you to the promise of kingship. An angel told Mary:

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.” (Luke 1:32, 33 ESV)

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were waiting for this One.

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” (Matthew 22:41, 42 ESV)

And John writes for us:

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16 ESV)

As you read through Samuel get used to the idea of royalty: as a believer, it’s your future.