Jesus, the
Christ as the descendant of King David, fulfilling God's covenant promise that David's throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). 'Son of David' is a deeply messianic title — the rightful King of Israel.
'Son of David' is one of the most important messianic titles in the New Testament. It is rooted in God's covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 — the promise that David's seed would have an eternal throne. The Davidic covenant. God promised David: 'I will set up thy seed after thee... And I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever' (2 Samuel 7:12-13). This was partly fulfilled in Solomon, but the eternal aspect required a greater Son — the Messiah. The prophets keep pressing this promise (Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 37:24-25). Christ as Son of David. The NT begins with this title. Matthew 1:1 — 'The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.' Both Matthew and Luke trace Christ's genealogy through David. Christ is the rightful heir to David's throne. The blind, lame, and Canaanite mother all called out to Christ as 'Son of David,' recognizing his messianic identity. The crowds at the triumphal entry hailed him: 'Hosanna to the Son of David' (Matthew 21:9). What this title means. (1) Christ has royal authority. He is the rightful King of Israel and ultimately of the world. (2) Christ fulfills the Davidic covenant. His throne will indeed last forever (Luke 1:32-33). (3) Christ is from the heart of God's redemptive plan. The line of David carries the gospel forward. (4) Christ's kingdom is real and eternal. Daniel 7:14 — 'his dominion is an everlasting dominion.' Christ is also greater than David. Matthew 22:41-46 — Jesus asked the Pharisees about Psalm 110:1: 'The LORD said unto my Lord.' If David called the Messiah 'Lord,' how could he be merely David's son? The Messiah is both David's descendant (in his humanity) and David's Lord (in his deity). Revelation. Revelation 22:16 — Christ's final self-identification: 'I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.' He is both David's source (root) and David's descendant (offspring).
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
“I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom... And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”
“Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
“When Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.”
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.”
Bow to the Son of David as your King. Trust his eternal kingdom. Pray Matthew 21:9 — 'Hosanna to the Son of David' — recognize him as Israel's promised King and now King of all. Reject all lesser kings of the heart. The Son of David reigns now and will reign forever.
'Son of David' is a messianic title referring to Christ as the descendant and rightful heir of King David, fulfilling God's covenant promise (2 Samuel 7:12-16) that David's throne would be established forever. Matthew 1:1 opens the New Testament by calling Jesus 'the son of David.' The crowds hailed him this way at the triumphal entry (Matthew 21:9).
Because he is David's descendant in the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to David that an eternal King would come from his line (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 both trace Christ to David. The title affirms Christ's right to David's throne and his messianic identity.
Yes — this was a clear OT expectation. 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (the Davidic covenant), Isaiah 9:7 (a son to sit on David's throne), Jeremiah 23:5-6 (a righteous Branch from David), Ezekiel 37:24-25 (David my servant shall be their prince). The OT prepares for a Davidic Messiah; the NT proclaims Jesus as his fulfillment.
Matthew 22:41-46 — Jesus pressed this question. Psalm 110:1 — 'The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand' — was understood as David speaking of the Messiah as his Lord. If the Messiah is merely David's son, how could David call him Lord? The answer: the Messiah is both David's descendant (in his humanity) and David's Lord (in his deity). Christ is both.