King David

He is not mentioned by name in the Torah but is alluded to in Genesis 49:10, "The scepter will not depart from (the tribe of) Judah," since King David was the start of its fulfillment.See also the Related Link.

More about King David

[R5613 : page 23]

KING DAVID'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER --FEBRUARY 7.--RUTH 1.-- A BEAUTIFUL STORY--ISRAEL'S HOME LIFE--BENEATH THE

SURFACE--GOOD PEOPLE ASTRAY--NAOMI'S RETURN--RUTH'S

CONVERSION--WHAT IT COST HER--WHAT SHE GOT. "Thy people shall be my people,

and thy God my God."--Ruth 1:16. IT is said that when Benjamin Franklin was American Minister in Paris, he spent an evening with some of its literary people, during which he was called upon to contribute to the entertainment. Drawing from his pocket a manuscript prepared for the occasion, he remarked, "Reading a very ancient book, I came across a very charming bit of literature, which I believe will [R5614 : page 23] prove as interesting to many of you as to myself. I have copied it; and if you will permit, I will read it." It was the story of our lesson--indeed, the entire story of the Book of Ruth. The narrative tells that the audience was delighted and desired to be informed where in ancient history so beautiful and idealistic a tale could be found. They were more than surprised when he told them that he had copied it from the Bible; for France at that time, in its official and literary circles, was agnostic, if not atheistic. The story of the Book of Ruthgives us a little glimpse into the affairs of the Israelites, showing us that there was a deep spirit of religion underlying the surface of wars and captivities, etc., which naturally most impress themselves upon our attention in every history of every people. The opening was at Bethlehem, "the city of David," where centuries later Jesus was born, "David's Son and David's Lord." The religious sentiment of the family is shown by the import of their names. Elimelech, the husband's name, signifies "My God is King." His wife's name, Naomi, is said to mean "The pleasure of Jehovah." They had two young sons, Mahlon (sickly one) and Chilion (pining one). They became discouraged because of the invasions of their enemies and the frequent loss of the fruits of their labor, and finally, because of a severe drouth, which almost produced a famine, they left their home, crossed Jordan into the land of Moab, and dwelt there for ten years. There the two boys married. Both died, leaving widows; and Elimelech died. Evidently the leaving of the Land of Promise, the Land of the Covenant, to live amongst a people who were idolators, and who were not in covenant relationship with God in any way, had not resulted greatly to the benefit of the family; for when Naomi concluded to return to her native land, she had practically nothing. It is worth while here for us to learn a lesson to the effect that it is never good policy to sacrifice our religious interests for our temporal interests. With all Christians the motto should be "God First." It will not do to say that perhaps they moved to Moab that they might do a little missionary work; for although the Moabites were the descendants of Lot, and therefore related to the Israelites and had spoken to some extent the same language, nevertheless God's Covenant was merely with the descendants of Abraham, and the others were aliens, strangers, foreigners, from the commonwealth of Israel, like all other Gentiles. Nor would it have been proper for them to attempt to convert the Moabites; for God had not called the Moabites, but merely the Israelites --as we read, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth."--Amos 3:2. However, many Christians have made the same mistake that this family made; and if Christians indeed, they were all the more responsible, because the Christian has a higher relationship with God and should have a clearer knowledge of His will and more of the "spirit of a sound mind." It was unwise to take two boys into a heathen land, where they were likely to be contaminated; instead, every reasonable influence should have been thrown about them to preserve their loyalty to Jehovah. Doubtless Naomi realized all this, as indicated by her words in the lesson, "It grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me." Here again we perceive that the hand of the Lord against her was really in her favor, and that it had a proper influence upon her and brought her back to the Land of Promise. TWO BEAUTIFUL CHARACTERS Naomi (the pleasure of Jehovah) must have been a beautiful character. This is evidenced by the deep affection manifested toward her by her two daughters-in-law. They both preferred to join her and to go to her homeland, to leave their own home associations; and they started with her. But as she reflected that they would be strangers in a strange land and would pine for home, even as she was pining now, she tenderly urged them to reconsider-- to go back to their home and kindred, their habits and customs, and to remarry, etc. One of them so concluded, and kissed her good-bye; but the other one, Ruth, broke forth in such eloquent terms that her words have become permanently identified with classic literature: "Entreat me not to leave thee,

And to return from following after thee;

For whither thou goest, I will go;

And where thou lodgest, I will lodge;

Thy people shall be my people, "And thy God my God:

Where thou diest I will die,

And there will I be buried:

The Lord do so to me, and more also,

If aught but death part thee and me." When we say that Ruth was converted, we of course do not mean that she became a Christian or that she became an heir of Christian promises; for there were none such until after Jesus, by His death, opened up the "new and living way" beyond the Veil. She was converted to Judaism, and this is a fresh testimony to the faithful living of Naomi.--Verses 16,17. THE VALUE OF POSITIVE DECISION One thing here is worthy of note; namely, the positiveness with which Ruth made her decision. It was not a proposal to try for a time how it would go to live in Judea. It was a decision unto death. In this respect all true conversions are alike. The Christian, for instance, did not really become a Christian until he made just such a definite, positive consecration of himself to leave the world, its affairs, its loves, its hopes and ambitions, and to spend and be spent even unto death in the service of the Lord. The value of positive decision in respect to life we can hardly overestimate. Thousands of lives are blighted because of lack of decision. Positiveness for God is the only condition in which we can hope to "make our calling and election sure." True to God's promise to the Jewish people, Naomi and Ruth were blessed in their return to the Lord--to His people--to His Land of Covenant and Promise. We are to remember that all the promises to Fleshly Israel were earthly, while all those to Spiritual Israel are Heavenly. [R5614 : page 24]Both the nobility and the wisdom of Naomi's character are manifest in the course which she pursued on arriving in Bethlehem practically penniless, and unable to retrieve the interest of her husband and her sons in their share of the land. She did not beg, nor request Ruth to beg. There was no false cry nor false modesty. Ruth went out, like other poor women, to glean handfuls of grain after the reapers. Under the Law it was a part of God's provision for the poor that no one should reap the corners of his field, but should leave these for the poor. Naomi counseled Ruth to go gleaning in the fields of one of her wealthy relatives, named Boaz. KING DAVID'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER As Naomi had surmised, the wealthy Boaz took note of the modest young woman who daily gleaned in his fields; and subsequently he learned that she was a relative through marriage. He pursued the course of the Jewish Law, and Ruth became his wife. Obed was the name of their son, Jesse was the name of his son, and David was the youngest of Jesse's sons. Thus Ruth the Gentile became identified with the royal family as an ancestor, and with King David's greatest Son and Lord--Jesus. The Bible is a very honest Book. It does not disguise the fact that Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, was received into the Jewish nation by marriage and became an ancestor to King David, Solomon and Jesus. It does not disguise the fact that Ruth was by nature a foreigner, a Gentile, and at one time an idolatress. No other book is so honest. Similarly the New Testament, with wonderful candor, tells all the details of how one of His own disciples betrayed the Master, of how all forsook Him and fled, of how the subsequently noble St. Peter denied his Master with curses, of how St. Peter and St. John, when preaching in the Temple, were perceived by the people to be ignorant and unlearned. Similarly the weaknesses and sins of King David and others of the royal family are in no sense covered or disguised. They are all laid bare and reproved, their punishments stated, and the repentance of the culprits noted. We dare trust such honest writers, even as in the history of today we would be willing to trust such writers. Indeed, we do not know of any history today that would compare with the Bible history in candor. HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN In these Studies we make no attempt at impassioned appeal; but rather, in the words of Jesus, we suggest that each one, when considering whether or not he will join himself to the Lord, become a follower of Christ, shall first quietly "sit down and count the cost," as the Master directed. We do, however, earnestly urge the importance of decision, and a positive decision, as being essential to proper peace of mind and to proper Christian progress, and to an inheritance with the saints under the terms of this Gospel Age.--Colossians 1:12. Those who do conclude to give their hearts to God should know that "there is no other name given under Heaven or amongst men" whereby we can be recovered to God's favor, so as to be permitted to enter the House of Sons, than the name of Jesus. In His name means in, by and through all that His name stands for to have faith in God, obedience to His terms, etc. But when the decision is reached, it means, "Thy God shall be my God." Decision is reached to join the House of Sons through Christ. Be it noticed that we have not recommended the joining of any denomination, nor does the Bible. The instruction of the Bible is that each, to be a member of the House of Sons, must be joined to the Lord--to Christ, and through Him to the Father--in order to be an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. Such as [R5615 : page 24] do this have their names written, not on an earthly roll of membership, but "in the Lamb's Book of Life," "whose names are written in Heaven." Their next step should be to say, "Thy people shall be my people." And so surely as any of God's people are found, they are all brethren of one family, whether they be found amongst Roman Catholics or Baptists, amongst Methodists or Presbyterians, amongst Lutherans or Anglicans, or whether they be found outside of all denominations. God's people are all one, because by one Spirit they are all baptized into the one Spiritual Body, the Head of which is Christ, whose Spirit must pervade all His members.--1 Corinthians 12:13. Not only should we seek for the people of God, but we should acknowledge and fellowship them, whether they be white or black, rich or poor, learned or ignorant; for "ye are all one in Christ Jesus," and "One is your Master, even Christ." The proper course for all those who come into Christ is to inquire for and search out "the old paths"--the footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles, their teachings, their practises--and not to be influenced by modern digressions, philosophies and sciences falsely so-called, or by creeds and theories of the Dark Ages. "They shall all be taught of God" is a promise which belongs to the entire Household of Faith; and the Word of God is "meat in due season," and is the strength provided for their strengthening, upbuilding and preparation for a share in the Kingdom. ==================== [R5613 : page 23]

KING DAVID'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER --FEBRUARY 7.--RUTH 1.-- A BEAUTIFUL STORY--ISRAEL'S HOME LIFE--BENEATH THE

SURFACE--GOOD PEOPLE ASTRAY--NAOMI'S RETURN--RUTH'S

CONVERSION--WHAT IT COST HER--WHAT SHE GOT. "Thy people shall be my people,

and thy God my God."--Ruth 1:16. IT is said that when Benjamin Franklin was American Minister in Paris, he spent an evening with some of its literary people, during which he was called upon to contribute to the entertainment. Drawing from his pocket a manuscript prepared for the occasion, he remarked, "Reading a very ancient book, I came across a very charming bit of literature, which I believe will [R5614 : page 23] prove as interesting to many of you as to myself. I have copied it; and if you will permit, I will read it." It was the story of our lesson--indeed, the entire story of the Book of Ruth. The narrative tells that the audience was delighted and desired to be informed where in ancient history so beautiful and idealistic a tale could be found. They were more than surprised when he told them that he had copied it from the Bible; for France at that time, in its official and literary circles, was agnostic, if not atheistic. The story of the Book of Ruthgives us a little glimpse into the affairs of the Israelites, showing us that there was a deep spirit of religion underlying the surface of wars and captivities, etc., which naturally most impress themselves upon our attention in every history of every people. The opening was at Bethlehem, "the city of David," where centuries later Jesus was born, "David's Son and David's Lord." The religious sentiment of the family is shown by the import of their names. Elimelech, the husband's name, signifies "My God is King." His wife's name, Naomi, is said to mean "The pleasure of Jehovah." They had two young sons, Mahlon (sickly one) and Chilion (pining one). They became discouraged because of the invasions of their enemies and the frequent loss of the fruits of their labor, and finally, because of a severe drouth, which almost produced a famine, they left their home, crossed Jordan into the land of Moab, and dwelt there for ten years. There the two boys married. Both died, leaving widows; and Elimelech died. Evidently the leaving of the Land of Promise, the Land of the Covenant, to live amongst a people who were idolators, and who were not in covenant relationship with God in any way, had not resulted greatly to the benefit of the family; for when Naomi concluded to return to her native land, she had practically nothing. It is worth while here for us to learn a lesson to the effect that it is never good policy to sacrifice our religious interests for our temporal interests. With all Christians the motto should be "God First." It will not do to say that perhaps they moved to Moab that they might do a little missionary work; for although the Moabites were the descendants of Lot, and therefore related to the Israelites and had spoken to some extent the same language, nevertheless God's Covenant was merely with the descendants of Abraham, and the others were aliens, strangers, foreigners, from the commonwealth of Israel, like all other Gentiles. Nor would it have been proper for them to attempt to convert the Moabites; for God had not called the Moabites, but merely the Israelites --as we read, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth."--Amos 3:2. However, many Christians have made the same mistake that this family made; and if Christians indeed, they were all the more responsible, because the Christian has a higher relationship with God and should have a clearer knowledge of His will and more of the "spirit of a sound mind." It was unwise to take two boys into a heathen land, where they were likely to be contaminated; instead, every reasonable influence should have been thrown about them to preserve their loyalty to Jehovah. Doubtless Naomi realized all this, as indicated by her words in the lesson, "It grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me." Here again we perceive that the hand of the Lord against her was really in her favor, and that it had a proper influence upon her and brought her back to the Land of Promise. TWO BEAUTIFUL CHARACTERS Naomi (the pleasure of Jehovah) must have been a beautiful character. This is evidenced by the deep affection manifested toward her by her two daughters-in-law. They both preferred to join her and to go to her homeland, to leave their own home associations; and they started with her. But as she reflected that they would be strangers in a strange land and would pine for home, even as she was pining now, she tenderly urged them to reconsider-- to go back to their home and kindred, their habits and customs, and to remarry, etc. One of them so concluded, and kissed her good-bye; but the other one, Ruth, broke forth in such eloquent terms that her words have become permanently identified with classic literature: "Entreat me not to leave thee,

And to return from following after thee;

For whither thou goest, I will go;

And where thou lodgest, I will lodge;

Thy people shall be my people, "And thy God my God:

Where thou diest I will die,

And there will I be buried:

The Lord do so to me, and more also,

If aught but death part thee and me." When we say that Ruth was converted, we of course do not mean that she became a Christian or that she became an heir of Christian promises; for there were none such until after Jesus, by His death, opened up the "new and living way" beyond the Veil. She was converted to Judaism, and this is a fresh testimony to the faithful living of Naomi.--Verses 16,17. THE VALUE OF POSITIVE DECISION One thing here is worthy of note; namely, the positiveness with which Ruth made her decision. It was not a proposal to try for a time how it would go to live in Judea. It was a decision unto death. In this respect all true conversions are alike. The Christian, for instance, did not really become a Christian until he made just such a definite, positive consecration of himself to leave the world, its affairs, its loves, its hopes and ambitions, and to spend and be spent even unto death in the service of the Lord. The value of positive decision in respect to life we can hardly overestimate. Thousands of lives are blighted because of lack of decision. Positiveness for God is the only condition in which we can hope to "make our calling and election sure." True to God's promise to the Jewish people, Naomi and Ruth were blessed in their return to the Lord--to His people--to His Land of Covenant and Promise. We are to remember that all the promises to Fleshly Israel were earthly, while all those to Spiritual Israel are Heavenly. [R5614 : page 24]Both the nobility and the wisdom of Naomi's character are manifest in the course which she pursued on arriving in Bethlehem practically penniless, and unable to retrieve the interest of her husband and her sons in their share of the land. She did not beg, nor request Ruth to beg. There was no false cry nor false modesty. Ruth went out, like other poor women, to glean handfuls of grain after the reapers. Under the Law it was a part of God's provision for the poor that no one should reap the corners of his field, but should leave these for the poor. Naomi counseled Ruth to go gleaning in the fields of one of her wealthy relatives, named Boaz. KING DAVID'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER As Naomi had surmised, the wealthy Boaz took note of the modest young woman who daily gleaned in his fields; and subsequently he learned that she was a relative through marriage. He pursued the course of the Jewish Law, and Ruth became his wife. Obed was the name of their son, Jesse was the name of his son, and David was the youngest of Jesse's sons. Thus Ruth the Gentile became identified with the royal family as an ancestor, and with King David's greatest Son and Lord--Jesus. The Bible is a very honest Book. It does not disguise the fact that Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, was received into the Jewish nation by marriage and became an ancestor to King David, Solomon and Jesus. It does not disguise the fact that Ruth was by nature a foreigner, a Gentile, and at one time an idolatress. No other book is so honest. Similarly the New Testament, with wonderful candor, tells all the details of how one of His own disciples betrayed the Master, of how all forsook Him and fled, of how the subsequently noble St. Peter denied his Master with curses, of how St. Peter and St. John, when preaching in the Temple, were perceived by the people to be ignorant and unlearned. Similarly the weaknesses and sins of King David and others of the royal family are in no sense covered or disguised. They are all laid bare and reproved, their punishments stated, and the repentance of the culprits noted. We dare trust such honest writers, even as in the history of today we would be willing to trust such writers. Indeed, we do not know of any history today that would compare with the Bible history in candor. HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN In these Studies we make no attempt at impassioned appeal; but rather, in the words of Jesus, we suggest that each one, when considering whether or not he will join himself to the Lord, become a follower of Christ, shall first quietly "sit down and count the cost," as the Master directed. We do, however, earnestly urge the importance of decision, and a positive decision, as being essential to proper peace of mind and to proper Christian progress, and to an inheritance with the saints under the terms of this Gospel Age.--Colossians 1:12. Those who do conclude to give their hearts to God should know that "there is no other name given under Heaven or amongst men" whereby we can be recovered to God's favor, so as to be permitted to enter the House of Sons, than the name of Jesus. In His name means in, by and through all that His name stands for to have faith in God, obedience to His terms, etc. But when the decision is reached, it means, "Thy God shall be my God." Decision is reached to join the House of Sons through Christ. Be it noticed that we have not recommended the joining of any denomination, nor does the Bible. The instruction of the Bible is that each, to be a member of the House of Sons, must be joined to the Lord--to Christ, and through Him to the Father--in order to be an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. Such as [R5615 : page 24] do this have their names written, not on an earthly roll of membership, but "in the Lamb's Book of Life," "whose names are written in Heaven." Their next step should be to say, "Thy people shall be my people." And so surely as any of God's people are found, they are all brethren of one family, whether they be found amongst Roman Catholics or Baptists, amongst Methodists or Presbyterians, amongst Lutherans or Anglicans, or whether they be found outside of all denominations. God's people are all one, because by one Spirit they are all baptized into the one Spiritual Body, the Head of which is Christ, whose Spirit must pervade all His members.--1 Corinthians 12:13. Not only should we seek for the people of God, but we should acknowledge and fellowship them, whether they be white or black, rich or poor, learned or ignorant; for "ye are all one in Christ Jesus," and "One is your Master, even Christ." The proper course for all those who come into Christ is to inquire for and search out "the old paths"--the footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles, their teachings, their practises--and not to be influenced by modern digressions, philosophies and sciences falsely so-called, or by creeds and theories of the Dark Ages. "They shall all be taught of God" is a promise which belongs to the entire Household of Faith; and the Word of God is "meat in due season," and is the strength provided for their strengthening, upbuilding and preparation for a share in the Kingdom. ====================

Each of them ruled over the Kingdom of Israel which at that time included all twelve Israelite Tribes. See also the Related Links.
Link: More about King David

Link: More about King Solomon

Some scholars believe that the account of King David was also coloured by the desire of those in the kingdom of Judah to be associated with the brief period of military expansion. They say that this really occurred under King Omri of the northern kingdom of Israel, but was written in the scriptures back into the time so that King David of the United Monarchy achieved those victories. In the Bible, David was the forerunner of the Judahite kings, so his victories reflected on the people of Judah. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Israel had been destroyed in 722 BCE and its kings could not propagate a rival version of events, but nevertheless the Samaritans never accepted the Books of Samuel and Kings.

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Opinion

The story of King David clearly illustrates how he (David) saw intrigue, sexual sins, and murder rock his own household, resulting in his isolation from and eventual retreat before Absalom. Still, David grieved long and deep when his army killed Absalom. King David is also recognised as the role model for Israelite kings. God's prophets pointed to a future "David" who would restore Israel's fortunes.

Additional Answer:

David REPENTED deeply and God forgave him as He reads our hearts and not our words. ALL mankind must repent and be baptized to receive the gift of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and eventually be born anew as sons and daughters in the God Family.

Another perspective:

The "books of the Bible will be opened" on Judgment Day to judge all men:

"...He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My Words [the Bible], hath one that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken [the Bible], the same shall judge him in the Last Day." (John 12:48)

"...the books were opened... and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Rev.20:12)

One understanding to take away from this is that the Bible is a "case history" on mankind, that will be used for evidence against him at his trial. The general docket is set for the Last Great Day - Judgment Day.

Every man's works shall be measured by the Word of God... against the laws written therein.

As for king David... his case history is recorded and already fully judged.

"...This is what the LORD says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms... And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the Word of the LORD by doing what is evil in His eyes?

"You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites." (II Sam.12:7-9 NIV)

The charges were leveled against David... and his sentence was carried out:

"Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house [war], because you despised Me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'

"'This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.

"You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.'" (verses10-12 NIV)

David lived out the rest of his life under God's sentence... and in constant penance over it.

"...David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan [the prophet] replied, 'The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.' But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die." (verses 13-14 NIV)

According to God's Word, then... murder IS bound by a time limit from the time it's committed. From the time that "God forgives our crimes and TAKES THEM AWAY" -- they are "blotted out" and are no more.

"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return to Me; for I have redeemed thee." (Isa.44:22)

The saints of God, whom He has been calling since the beginning, are "being judged NOW," during this time dispensation. Jesus' parables are replete with stories of His return to earth with the Kingdom of God, and His "rewarding" them, according to their works [or lack, thereof].

Witness the "Ten Virgins" [Matt.25]

Or the "talents": "...it will be like a man going on a journey, who called His servants and entrusted His property to them." (Matt.25:14 NIV)

Or the "pounds": "...A man of noble birth went to a distant country [Jesus going to heaven] to have Himself appointed as King and then to return... He was made King... and returned home [His second coming]. Then He sent for the servants to whom He gave the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it." (Luke 19:12-15 NIV)

The saints of God [which includes king David]... have had their sins [transgressions against God's Commandments - I John 3:4] "blotted out" -- because they "repented" before God.

Again... God's book of case histories records David's repentance:

"HAVE MERCY ON ME, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion BLOT OUT MY TRANSGRESSIONS. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin... Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge." (Ps.51:1-4 NIV)

[Modern versions of the Bible omit "comments" at the beginning of the chapters of the books... but, in the old 'leather-bound' KJV Bible of my grandfather, this comment precedes Psalms chapter 51: "...To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in unto Bath-sheba." King David was on the verge of losing his kingdom over his sins... as well as the Lord's Holy Spirit; "...Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me..." - verse 11. King David was being measured for destruction -- but the case history records his repentance.]

God's Righteous "measuring stick" [the Bible] has all the evidence of David's crimes recorded. The judgment and sentence for those crimes has also been recorded. David paid dearly for them for the rest of his life.

But, he did so, repenting of his sins. He didn't deny them... or refuse to accept his responsiblity for them. And they haunted him.

But, he acknowledged them before God, cried out for His mercy and forgiveness -- and "he was cleansed."

This is what all men must do in order to be forgiven their sins and have them blotted out in the Last Day. The Words of Jesus Christ [the Bible] will judge all men.

But, some... like David, Moses, Peter, Paul, Noah, Abel and many others -- have already been Judged. These will rise when Jesus returns and rule the nations of the earth with Him. They will live again one thousand years before the Last Day, Judgment Day... and receive their rewards [the inheritance of authority and rulership in the Kingdom of God -- Rev.20:4-5].

"..it is time for Judgment to begin with the Family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17 NIV)

God has been judging and correcting His elect... His saints... from the beginning. David is recorded to be one of them. He has already been judged. He lived out his sentence. And his sins have been blotted out. And God now says of him:

"...I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." (Acts 13:22 NIV)

Our time and lives would be better spent directing our own works toward such a favorable judgment before God when He "opens the books" and we stand before Him... and not worry about how others might fare.

Can you define what you mean by "second promise" to Abraham? Bible chapter and verse would be helpful. Thanks

ANSWER:

Most people have no idea that there is a "Davidic Covenant"... much less; what it might be. Or that God's two Promises to Abraham, 1) - "to make of him a great nation" and 2) - "that all the families [nations] of the earth would be blessed through his Seed" translate, first of all into a "material blessing" and a "spiritual blessing."

"...the LORD had said unto Abram, 'Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred... and I will make of thee A GREAT NATION, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and IN THEE SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.'" (Gen.12:1-3 KJV)

For the first promise, it's common knowledge that material blessings [wealth, prosperity and power] that make people into great nations COMES OUT OF THE GROUND... or whatever the particular land yields on which a people lives. In other words... "wealth comes from the earth" [oil, diamonds, gold, rich farmland and abundant crops, etc].

The second promise, most people would recognize before the first promise [if they noticed the first promise at all]. This is the Promise of the Messiah, or the Christ... from whom Salvation and Eternal Life comes to light.

So, generally speaking... considering what little the world actually knows regarding the Promises of God to Abraham; not to mention certain other Truths of the Bible... the Promise of the Christ and Salvation may well be the ONLY PROMISE about which most people are half way aware.

Then there is the "Davidic Covenant":

"THE DAY WILL COME, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel AND Judah ALL THE GOOD I HAVE PROMISED THEM. AT THAT TIME I will BRING TO THE THRONE OF DAVID A RIGHTEOUS DESCENDANT, and He will do what is Just and Right throughout the land. In that Day Judah [the Jews] will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And their motto will be 'THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!"

"For this is what the LORD says, 'DAVID WILL FOREVER HAVE A DESCENDANT SITTING ON THE THRONE OF ISRAEL.'" (Jer.33:14-17 NLT New Living Translation)

It is understood by most that the "Righteous Descendant" who will save Israel and Judah is the prophesied Messiah... who is Jesus Christ [the WORD; the Almighty Creator God of the Old Testament - see John 1:1-3]

Those few in the world who know and understand that Christ's throne is NOT IN HEAVEN [His FATHER's throne is there]... but ON EARTH, know that it's DAVID's throne that the Messiah has inherited... and will take over when He returns to the earth in Power and Glory.

"You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name Him JESUS. He will be very Great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the LORD will give Him THE THRONE OF HIS ANCESTOR DAVID." (Luke 1:31-32 NLT)

"...the GOVERNMENT will rest ON HIS SHOULDERS... His ever-expanding, Peaceful Government [Kingdom] WILL NEVER END. He will rule forever with Fairness and Justice from THE THRONE OF HIS ANCESTOR DAVID. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!" (Isa.9:6-7 NLT)

So, there it is... the "Davidic Covenant."

But this world is very sloppy in its understanding [mostly, rejection and disbelief] of what God is promising.

Not only that Christ will take over the throne of David and rule the earth; that's what some small part of the world has heard repeated -- and rejects. But this same small part of the world doesn't seem to know or understand that in order for Christ to take over David's throne upon His return with Power and Glory: HE HAS TO HAVE AN EXISTING THRONE ON THE EARTH TO TAKE OVER!

And that throne apparently disappeared way back when the Jews went into Babylonian captivity under the auspices of the prophet Jeremiah. David's royal descendants were either KILLED OR CAPTURED by the Babylonians... and those who went into captivity with the rest of the Jews DIED IN CAPTIVITY... and the visible throne of David NEVER RETURNED or was reestablished in Jerusalem when the Jews returned to their land.

This blinded and deceived world, of course, couldn't care less about this; but God's almighty Power, Sovereignty, Honor and Integrity was and is at stake with this little known and understood development that seemingly disrupted God's Promise.

Even among the hundreds of denominations of modern professing Christians [and even the Jews]... you won't find very many [if any] folks wondering where David's throne is on this earth for Christ to claim it for Himself and from which He shall RULE THE EARTH when He comes back!

That's because none of them stop to know or understand what JEREMIAH'S COMMISSION was. What job God gave Jeremiah to do:

" '...Before you were born I set you apart [sanctified you] and appointed you as My spokesman to the world.' [not just to the Jews, but TO THE WORLD!]... 'for you must go WHEREVER I SEND YOU and say whatever I tell you...' 'Today I appoint you to stand up against NATIONS and KINGDOMS. You are to UPROOT SOME and TEAR THEM DOWN, to DESTROY and OVERTHROW them. You are to BUILD OTHERS UP and PLANT them.'" (Jer.1:5-10 NLT)

A small part of the world is somewhat acquainted with Jeremiah's biblical part in the "uprooting" of David's throne from Jerusalem... and his prediction of the "destruction" of it by the Babylonian empire. It was under Jeremiah's commission by God that David's throne was uprooted and overthrown... which was PART ONE of his commission.

David's throne DISAPPEARED FROM THE EARTH... apparently. But, then... if anyone would bother to notice at the end of his book -- SO DID JEREMIAH! Both David's throne and God's prophet vanished before Jeremiah completed the SECOND PART of his commission -- the BUILDING and REPLANTING of David's throne elsewhere in the world -- IN ISRAEL!

Jeremiah first went to Mizpah where THE KING'S DAUGHTERS were! The Jewish king and his sons had been captured and killed, respectively, and David's throne was uprooted and destroyed from Jerusalem. Jeremiah had COMPLETED THE FIRST PART OF HIS COMMISSION!

So, now, he had to REPLANT and BUILD David's throne somewhere else. IN ISRAEL... not in Judah.

Notice the covenant again. It was NOT with the JEWS whose throne David would never be wanting for a man to sit. It was ISRAEL!

" 'DAVID WILL FOREVER HAVE A DESCENDANT SITTING ON THE THRONE OF ISRAEL.'"

Once again, the world is ignorant of the fact that the name "Israel" was NEVER named on the Jews, the tribe of Judah -- but on the tribe of JOSEPH!

Joseph's father, Jacob [whose name was changed to Israel] said to his beloved son on his deathbed, regarding Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh:

"...he [Israel] blessed Joseph, and said, 'God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, BLESS THE LADS; [bless the descendants of Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh] and LET MY NAME BE NAMED ON THEM, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." (Gen.48:15-16 KJV)

Joseph, on whom the name "Israel" is named, prophetically, was NOT A JEW! The tribe of JUDAH are the JEWS [Jew is merely a shortening or nickname for Judah]. One tribe out of all of the twelve tribes are Jews. That means that the majority of the tribes of Israel are NOT JEWS!

And this is a significant distinction of which the world remains utterly ignorant to this day. And it's KEY to understanding WHERE Jeremiah and the king's daughters disappeared after his book ends in the Bible.

But it's also an involved study that would make this already long answer longer.

So, let's just cut it short, here, for the sake of the answer to the question by saying:

"God's continuing, ongoing fulfillment of the 'Davidic Covenant' [since Jeremiah's disappearance into history] expands God's Second Promise [of the Christ and Salvation] to Abraham" by "PROVIDING THIS DECEIVED AND SPIRITUALLY BLINDED WORLD WITH THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF DAVID'S THRONE IN THE BLESSED NATION OF ISRAEL'S [Joseph's] DESCENDANTS" [hint: look in London, England; the descendants of Ephraim, for the transplanted Jewish royal descendants of David]. There the world may see the continuing throne of David which Jesus Christ will take over upon His return to earth. Which will ultimately fulfill BOTH of God's Promises to Abraham... the NATIONAL one as well as the SPIRITUAL one.

For those TWO PROMISES ultimately translate into the GOSPEL MESSAGE of the Bible: the message of the Good News of the KINGDOM [Government] OF GOD, which Christ THE KING will establish upon planet earth when He returns; along with HIS SALVATION OF ALL THE NATIONS [families] of the earth at the same time.