The last chapters of the books of Samuel serve as an epilogue to the great saga of David. Not all of the contents in these chapters happen in chronological order with the rest of the book, but they are meant to reiterate the grace found, not in man, but in the everlasting covenant from God (2 Sam. 7). David’s psalm in chapter 22 is the same of another in the psalter (Psalm 18). The last verses reference the Davidic covenant and the last lines of Hannah’s prayer/song (1 Sam. 2:10). This along with the last words recorded of David (23:1-7) highlight the magnificent grace of God that is the refuge and strength for sinners.
The last narrative found in these books foreshadow a key theme to be fully consummated in the prophesied future king. David sins against God again by administering a census, and thus showing his trust in numbers than in the LORD (24:10). As a result, there is judgment upon all of Israel for David’s distrust in the form of a massive epidemic (24:15). As a means for atoning for his sins and lifting this consequence from the people (24:17), David purchases a threshing floor from a Jebusite to build an altar for the LORD. What was primarily used for agricultural means now served metaphorical significance for appeasing judgment (see here for more on biblical uses of a threshing floor). This proves significant for two reasons: 1) The site of this threshing floor would be the very plot of land that Solomon would build the Temple of the LORD (21:18-22:1); and, 2) David’s desire as the federal head of Israel to lift the burden of sin from his people would preview the very same inclination of his future royal offspring. But Jesus was not needing to lift the burden of his sin- he was without sin (2 Cor. 5:21)- but was interceding on our behalf to pay the penalty of our own sin. Unlike with David, we do not receive God’s wrath as a result of his mistakes. Instead, as our new federal head, Jesus now imputes the fullness of his righteousness to us. We see the very in-breaking of the Gospel here in the close of these books.
Reflect & Connect
There was so much that was promising about David to serve as the king of the LORD’s people. But David proved to be a sinner, as did Saul and as would every other king after him. So as a contemporary of this monarchy, it would have been difficult to see hope in the promise of the covenant made with David. Would there really be a king upright and worthy of carrying out God’s will perfectly? We have the blessing of hindsight and standing on this side of salvation to know the answer to that question. Read through the genealogy of the gospel of Matthew that follows this bloodline from Abraham to Jesus. As you do, recall all the narratives that we’ve read through thus far and reflect on God’s grace shown at every turn of this story. In spite of sin, God inclines to show us grace time and time again.
Matthew 1:1-17
– Rev. Nameun Cho