The Once and Future King

David ruled over Israel and Judah from about 1008 to 968 B.C., yet God promises that David will once again rule as a resurrected king. God makes clear in several prophecies that David will rule over a restored kingdom of Israel and Judah after Christ's return (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Hosea 3:5).

The citizens of ancient Israel and Judah, defeated and carried away in captivity in 722 and 587 B.C., respectively, thought their hopes for national greatness had been dashed forever. But God has something else in mind.

God prophesies that these same people, though dead for thousands of years, will be resurrected to physical life and given the opportunity to mend their ways and rivalries under Jesus Christ's reign. He, in turn, will place them under King David's leadership.

"Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Surely I will take the stick of Joseph ... and the tribes of Israel, his companions ... and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand ... And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again ... David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant ... and My servant David shall be their prince forever" (Ezekiel 37:19, 22, 24-25).

Jesus Christ will entrust a future combined union of Israel and Judah to a former king of Israel: David, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).

-- Jerold Aust