Anticipating Christ,
The Greater David
2 Samuel 7:12-17
The following Advent devotion provides Scriptural texts we can meditate on as a church congregation, in concert with the sermon series each week, to gain a deeper understanding of our sin, a closer look at the beauty of Christ, and the power of the Gospel that saves and redeems.
Scripture
12When 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. 13He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I 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. 15But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”
17Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.
2 Samuel 7:12-17
We consider Jesus as the greater David—the true King our hearts long for. Many Christians desire to “do great things for God.” But Scripture redirects us, showing us that before David could ever build anything for God, it was God who had carried, protected, and established him. David’s rise to the throne of Israel was marked not by David’s greatness, but by God’s steadfast faithfulness. When David expressed his desire to build a house for God, the Lord instead promised to build David a house: an everlasting kingdom through his lineage. David responds with humility, recognizing that God’s grace, not his performance, is the foundation of his life and calling.
Yet David’s story also exposes the limits of even the best human kings. Though a man after God’s own heart, David sinned grievously—committing adultery, orchestrating murder, and contributing to the fracturing of his kingdom. His successors followed the same tragic pattern. Israel needed more than a human king who could do great things for God; they needed God Himself to come as King. In Jesus, the greater David, God steps into human history as a servant born in a manger. Jesus lives in perfect obedience and defeats our greatest enemies: sin, Satan, and death. While we often grasp for control or chase lesser “gods” in hopes of securing peace, Advent reminds us that the true King already reigns and will one day return to establish perfect, everlasting peace. Our hope is not in what we can do for God, but in what our King has done, is doing, and will do for us.
Meditate
Take a few moments to quietly reflect on this truth.
Jesus, the greater king, has a kingdom that will never end. He governs the whole world and will let no evil go unpunished. He will never lack any oversight over his kingdom. Nothing will be lost on him. How does Jesus’ kingship comfort, yet challenge you?
Pray
Speak this prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and mind.
Christ our King, help us see that all power and authority belongs to you. Through your death, You have conquered over sin, Satan, and death, and you reign over all things even now. Help us to trust in your sovereignty over our lives, knowing that your love will never be taken away because Jesus bore the rod of wrath for us.
Apply
Consider specific ways you can live out this truth today.
Pause from the busyness of today and pray to the King who is in control. Lift up the ways you are tempted to take control into your own hands. Cry out to him with all of your anxieties, and ask him for peace and strength grounded in the reign of Jesus, who welcomes you in as an heir to his kingdom.
Memorize
Carry this truth with you throughout your day.
6For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
