-
Appreciating Jesus—The Greater David and the Greater SolomonThe Watchtower—2009 | April 15
-
-
David Prefigured Christ
4, 5. (a) Describe some parallels between David and Jesus. (b) Why can Jesus be called the Greater David?
4 Jesus, like David, was born in Bethlehem, some 1,100 years after David’s time. In the eyes of many, Jesus too did not look like a king. That is, he was not the kind of king that many in Israel hoped for. Yet, like David, he was Jehovah’s choice. He, like David, was beloved by Jehovah.a (Luke 3:22) In Jesus’ case too, ‘the spirit of Jehovah became operative upon him.’
5 The parallels between the two continue. For instance, David was betrayed by his counselor Ahithophel, and Jesus was betrayed by his apostle Judas Iscariot. (Ps. 41:9; John 13:18) Both David and Jesus had a consuming zeal for Jehovah’s place of worship. (Ps. 27:4; 69:9; John 2:17) Jesus was also David’s heir. Before Jesus’ birth, an angel told his mother: “Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father.” (Luke 1:32; Matt. 1:1) However, because all Messianic promises are to be fulfilled in Jesus, he is far more than David. He is the Greater David, the long-hoped-for Messianic King.—John 7:42.
Follow the Shepherd-King
6. In what ways was David a good shepherd?
6 Jesus is also a shepherd. What are the characteristics of a good shepherd? He is someone who faithfully and courageously tends, feeds, and guards his flock. (Ps. 23:2-4) As a youth, David was a shepherd, and he took very good care of his father’s sheep. He was courageous when the flock was threatened and risked his life to protect the sheep from a lion and a bear.—1 Sam. 17:34, 35.
7. (a) What prepared David for his duties as king? (b) How did Jesus prove to be the Fine Shepherd?
7 The years David spent in fields and on hills tending sheep prepared him for the demanding duties and responsibilities of shepherding the nation of Israel.b (Ps. 78:70, 71) Jesus too has proved to be a model shepherd. He derives strength and guidance from Jehovah as he shepherds his “little flock” and the “other sheep.” (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Thus Jesus proves to be the Fine Shepherd. He knows his flock so well that he calls each sheep by name. He loves his sheep so much that while on earth he willingly gave of himself for their well-being. (John 10:3, 11, 14, 15) As the Fine Shepherd, Jesus accomplishes something that David could never do. His ransom sacrifice opened the way for mankind to be rescued from death. Nothing will stop him from shepherding his “little flock” to immortal life in heaven and leading his “other sheep” to everlasting life in a righteous new world free from wolflike predators.—Read John 10:27-29.
Follow the Conquering King
8. How did David prove to be a conquering king?
8 As king, David was a resolute warrior who protected the land of God’s people, and “Jehovah kept saving David wherever he went.” Under David’s leadership, the nation’s boundaries were extended from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates. (2 Sam. 8:1-14) In Jehovah’s strength, he became a most powerful ruler. The Bible states: “David’s fame began to go out into all the lands, and Jehovah himself put the dread of him upon all the nations.”—1 Chron. 14:17.
9. Explain how Jesus as King-Designate was a conqueror.
9 Like King David, the man Jesus was fearless. As King-Designate, he showed his authority over the demons, rescuing victims from their clutches. (Mark 5:2, 6-13; Luke 4:36) Even the archenemy, Satan the Devil, has no hold on him. With Jehovah’s support, Jesus conquered the world, which lies in Satan’s power.—John 14:30; 16:33; 1 John 5:19.
10, 11. What is Jesus’ role as Warrior-King in the heavens?
10 Some 60 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection to heaven, the apostle John received a prophetic vision of Jesus in His role as Warrior-King in the heavens. John writes: “Look! a white horse; and the one seated upon it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went forth conquering and to complete his conquest.” (Rev. 6:2) The rider on the white horse is Jesus. “A crown was given him” in 1914 when he was enthroned as King in the heavenly Kingdom. After that, “he went forth conquering.” Yes, like David, Jesus is a conquering king. Shortly after he was installed as King of God’s Kingdom, he conquered Satan in battle and hurled him and his demons down to the earth. (Rev. 12:7-9) His victorious ride will continue until he will “complete his conquest,” completely destroying Satan’s wicked system.—Read Revelation 19:11, 19-21.
11 Like David, though, Jesus is a compassionate king, and he will protect the “great crowd” through Armageddon. (Rev. 7:9, 14) Furthermore, under the rule of Jesus and his joint heirs, the resurrected 144,000, there will be “a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Those who are resurrected on earth will have the prospect of living forever. What a wonderful future awaits them! May we all be determined to continue to “do what is good,” so that we will be alive when the earth is filled with righteous, happy subjects of the Greater David.—Ps. 37:27-29.
-
-
Appreciating Jesus—The Greater David and the Greater SolomonThe Watchtower—2009 | April 15
-
-
a The name David probably means “Beloved.” At the time of Jesus’ baptism and again at his transfiguration, Jehovah spoke from heaven calling him “my Son, the beloved.”—Matt. 3:17; 17:5.
-