July 2 | 2 Samuel 7:1-17
- Katie Borden
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
THE CROWN
By Katie Borden
I don’t watch a lot of television, but when I do, it’s usually a show that was popular five-ish years ago. That’s probably why I’m in the middle of “The Crown” right now. And let me tell you, I have learned a lot about Britain’s House of Windsor.
It’s interesting, isn’t it, that one family’s reign can seem nearly “eternal” to creatures who live only seventy or eighty years. But the era of this House’s reign pales in comparison to the reign of the House that the Lord promised to build in 2 Samuel 7.
In this portion of Scripture, we find a stark contrast between the house David intends to build for the Lord and the house God promises to build. The house David imagines is likely made of wood or stone, prone to decay. And while David’s son Solomon does eventually build the temple for the Lord, God declares that he himself will build a living house. God points forward to a descendant of David who will build this House, and then promises to “establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (v. 13).
The brilliance of this passage is that, while on one level it can point to the reign of David’s son Solomon, this promise of God points forward much more deeply and fully and completely to the One who sits on the throne forever–Jesus Christ. Read the passage again and see how much of it points to the eternal reign of Jesus. Wild, huh?
But what’s also mind-boggling to me about this passage is that, while it was written before the birth of Jesus, there is a strong possibility that it was written after the fall of the kingdom of Israel, at a time when there was no descendent of David on any throne. It may have seemed that, for hundreds of years, hope was lost and that God had not kept his promise about the House of David.
And then came Jesus.
Jesus is the ultimate, eternal fulfillment of God’s promises, even when it seemed impossible. This King of Israel, this Son of the House of David, this Son of God who wore a crown of thorns, will be on his throne forever and ever–not because of some human institution, but because of the word and work of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. After all other nations and kingdoms rise and crumble (even, yes, someday the House of Windsor) and time itself has come to an end, the resurrected Jesus will still be on the throne, reigning as the one true King.
And this eternal King has invited us to dwell with him in his House forever.
Thank you, God!
PRAYER
God, thank you for your promises which do not fail, even when I cannot see how they are to be fulfilled. I confess my limited view of eternity, and ask you to keep bolstering my faith in your eternal promises. Thank you for the finished work of Jesus, who invites me to dwell with you forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATIE BORDEN
I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.
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