The Land Covenant was made between the Lord and the Children of Israel, and the Davidic Covenant was made between the Lord and King David. Therefore, Gentile Christians have no part in either of these covenants. Even though they have no direct effect on the Church today, they are very important covenants. Both covenants are unconditional – the Lord made no conditional requirements on either the Children of Israel or King David.
The Land Covenant is found in Deuteronomy chapters 29 and 30. In chapter 29 Moses warned the Israelites that in a future generation they would be disobedient to the Lord and He would drive them from the land that was promised, and would scatter them into other lands. It is clear that the word of the Lord has come true. In chapter 30, the Lord promised Israel that the land will be theirs and He will bring them back from all the nations where He scattered them.
The importance of the Land Covenant for the Church is to demonstrate the Lord’s intent toward Israel, to bring them back to the land and to bless them. Neither the Church nor any other peoples have a right to this land. The Lord promised it to Israel, something our politicians should bear in mind. This unconditional covenant is still in effect today!
The Davidic Covenant is a personal covenant made between the Lord and King David. It is an unconditional covenant. The Lord, in His wonderful grace, gave this covenant to David without any conditions.
The Davidic Covenant is found at least twice in Scripture. The first account is in II Samuel 7:8-16. In this account the Lord gave the Prophet Nathan instructions on what to tell David. Nathan was to tell David that the Lord would make him a house, as in a dynasty; the House of David. David was told that when he died one of his sons would take his place. The kingdom of this son would be established and he would build the Lord’s Temple. The Lord warned that if this son committed iniquity, the Lord would chasten him.
Verse fifteen of this important passage demonstrates the unconditional nature of the Davidic Covenant. The Lord said that he would not withdraw His mercy from this disobedient son as He removed His mercy from King Saul. The difference is that Solomon, as David’s son, was under the covenant, whereas Saul was not.
There is a subtle difference between the Second Samuel account of the Davidic Covenant and the second account found in I Chronicles 17:7-14. Again, the Prophet Nathan told David that the Lord would make him a house (dynasty). David was told that when he died the Lord would raise up one of his descendants, not one of his sons. The descendant would build a Temple for the Lord. The Lord would be His father, and the descendant would be the Lord’s son. The Lord would establish His throne and kingdom for evermore! This descendant is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, who is the Son of God and a descendant of King David.
When the two passages are compared, it is easy to miss the subtle difference. In speaking of David’s son, who we know to be Solomon, the Lord promised to establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (II Samuel 7:13) The promise was not personal to Solomon, but to the throne of his kingdom. However, in the second passage the promise is personal. The Lord said that “his throne shall be established for evermore.” (I Chronicles 17:14) Of course this covenant, by its eternal nature, is shown to be an unconditional covenant.
The Davidic Covenant also confirms the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. The Lord promised Abraham that through his seed (his descendants) the entire world would be blessed. The Lord Jesus, Messiah, descendant of King David, is a wonderful blessing to all the world. Praise the Lord for the promised Messiah! Praise the Lord for the Lord Jesus! Praise His name always!