Eschatology in the Books of Kings

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A Davidic / Prophetic Eschatological Trajectory
in the Books of KingsJohn D. FortnerSpring
2008
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The Davidic Dynastic Covenant2 Sam 78b-16

• This is what the LORD Almighty says I took you
  from the pasture and from following the flock to
  be ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been
  with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut
  off all your enemies from before you. Now I will
  make your name great, like the names of the
  greatest men of the earth. 10 And I will provide
  a place for my people Israel and will plant them
  so that they can have a home of their own and no
  longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not
  oppress them anymore, as they did at the
  beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I
  appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will
  also give you rest from all your enemies.
• The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself
  will establish a house for you 12 When your days
  are over and you rest with your fathers, I will
  raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will
  come from your own body, and I will establish his
  kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house
  for my Name, and I will establish the throne of
  his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and
  he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will
  punish him with the rod of men, with floggings
  inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be
  taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul,
  whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and
  your kingdom will endure forever before me your
  throne will be established forever.

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The Lamp of David in the Light of Samuel-Kings

• 1 Sam 33
• 2 Sam 2117
• 1 Kgs 1136
• 1 Kgs 154
• 2 Kgs 819
• Ps 13217

Nevertheless, for Davids sake Yahweh his God
gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son
to succeed him . . . .
So that David . . . May always have a lamp
before me in Jerusalem . . . .
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David the Temple as a Dual Prism for Viewing
Israels Covenantal Heritage Destiny

• David vis à vis Patriarchal / Mosaic
  Covenants (1) David is chosen as ruler over
  Yahwehs people, Israel (2) Davids enemies are
  vanquished (3) Yahweh will plant Israel so that
  they have a home or place of their
  own (4) David will find rest from his enemies
• Temple Kingdom vis à vis Davidic Covenant (1)
  Yahweh builds David a forever dynasty, kingdom,
  throne (2) Yahweh will establish the kingdom of
  Davids progeny (3) Davids progeny will build
  a house for my Yahwehs
  name (4) Davids progeny, though disciplined,
  will enjoy Yahwehs faithfulness in an
  everlasting covenant

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Israels Covenantal Heritage as Prophetic
Eschatology in 2 Samuel 78b-16 (cf. Amos
911-15) Aspects of Prophetic Eschatology

• (2) A Planting of Gods People in the Land of
  Canaan as Place / Home / Rest

• (1) A Forever Davidic Dynasty

• (3) A United Tribal Brotherhood of Israel

• (4) Shalom Freedom from Oppression War

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David(ides) inside outside of the Land in the
Divine Trajectory of 1-2 Kings The Land, David,
Temple Prospect

• 1 Kings 210-12
• Then David rested with his fathers and
  was buried in the City of David. He had reigned
  40 years over Israelseven years in Hebron and
  thirty-three in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on
  the throne of his father David, and his rule was
  firmlyestablished.

• 2 Kings 2527-30 In the 37th
  year of the exile of Jehoiachin . . .
  in the year Amel-Marduk became king
  of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin from
  prison . . . . He spoke kindly to
  him and gave him a seat of honor higher than
  those of the other kings who were with him in
  Babylon. So Jehoiachin put aside his prison
  clothes and for the rest of his life ate
  regularly at the kings table. Day
  by day the king gave Jehoiachin a
  regular allowance as long as he
  lived.

1 Kings 61 In the 480th year after the
Israelites had come out of Egypt in the 4th year
of Solomons reign . . . he began to build the
temple of Yahweh
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Identity Eschatology in 1-2 Kings Exodus,
Land, David, Temple

• 1 Kings 11-212 -transition from David to
  Solomon so Solomon sat on the throne of his
  father David, and his rule was firmly
  established (fulfillment of 2 Sam 7)
• 1 Kings 61 -mid-point in eschatological
  trajectory in 1-2 Kings
• (a) the coming up out of Egypt (embracing
  making covenant with Yahweh) marks the
  creation of Israel as his people (b) the
  building of the temple signifies home / place
  / permanence / rest for the people of
  God in the land of Promise(c) 480 years into
  the trajectory places the founding of the temple
  at a fullness of time (viz. from Exod
  37-11 to 1 Kgs
• 2 Kings 2537-41 -Jehoiachin in exile the
  Davidic Hope(a) the dynamic of covenant
  expressed in 2 Sam 7 is still operative(b) the
  author is working out of the four primary aspects
  of prophetic eschatology
• (c) God is working to bring about a new exodus
  in another fullness of time