I Will Raise unto David a Righteous Branch

2022-02-04

Of the many Old Testament prophecies, Jesus was to be born a descendant of David, the famous king of Israel. “Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8). Blind men called on the Lord to heal them, calling Him the Son of David, which they knew was a Messianic title. “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us” (Matthew 9:27). Let us look at some fulfillments of prophecy.

One famous passage is Isaiah 9:7, often read at Christmastime: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever” (Isaiah 9:7).

Consider this passage concerning the resurrection: “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3). Paul quotes this in Acts 13:34, saying this refers to Jesus’ resurrection. We see that His soul did live, and that He made an everlasting covenant with Him. The new covenant in Christ fulfills the old Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) in a perfect way.

After it was said that Jehoiachin would have no descendant on the throne of David (Jeremiah 22:30), the promise of the Christ on David’s throne is given: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth” (Jeremiah 23:5). In this Man shall His people be saved, and the people would be gathered (Jeremiah 23:6), which is yet to occur (Jeremiah 23:8; Hosea 3:5). This is reiterated in Jeremiah 33:15-16, saying this King would always be on the throne (Jeremiah 33:17).

Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25 tells us that the Christ will rule over His people as a shepherd. He will rule over them forever according to Ezekiel 37:25. This is one of many passages that confirms Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14).

The Gentiles would also seek this Davidic king: “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). Jesse was the name of David’s father.

This is a sampling of verses that tell us that Jesus is that eternal King that would be a descendant of David and sit on his throne.