Chapter 10: The Kingdom of
David
UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
A class discussion using the following questions:
Have you have visited a capital city? What was it like?
What historical documents and government buildings do you hold in
high esteem? Why?
Why did the Jews hold the Ark of the Covenant in greater esteem than,
say, a copy of the nation’s constitution or her capital city?
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
BASIC QUESTIONS
 Why did David choose Jerusalem to be his political capital?
 Why did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem?
KEY IDEAS
 David chose Jerusalem, an unconquered pagan city, to be his new
political capital because it was centrally located between the southern
and northern tribes and was not associated with any one tribe.
 David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem to make his city
the religious capital of Israel; he showed supreme honor to God by the
magnificent procession he planned and dancing for joy in the garb of a
priest.
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why did the Sacred Author likely change the name of Saul’s son in 2 Samuel?
Saul’s son was named Ishbaal, the root Baal being the name of the Canaanites’ false
god. The writer of Samuel likely changed Saul’s son’s name to Ishbosheth, sheth
meaning shame, so readers would not have to speak the detestable name Baal.
What was the fate of Ishbosheth?
He was assassinated by two of his generals when they decided his cause against
David was hopeless.
What did David do when Ishbosheth’s generals brought him their leader’s
head?
David had them executed as murderers, saying they had “slain a righteous man.”
Extension: David was remarkable because, even when a man was his enemy, he
nevertheless would not vilify him.
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Review the section “Jerusalem, David’s New Capital” (p. 191).
Take part in a class discussion using the following question:
Why did David choose Jerusalem to be his new capital?
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Complete the following table according to the map “David’s Kingdom” (p.
192).
David’s Kingdom
What are the two Jewish nations in David’s
kingdom?
Name two cities of Judah.
What are the three vassal territories?
What are the four conquered territories?
Which two cities shown are not part of
David’s kingdom?
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
David’s Kingdom
What are the two Jewish nations in David’s
Judah and Israel.
kingdom?
Name two cities of Judah.
Jerusalem and Hebron.
What are the three vassal territories?
Philistia, a small area around the Sea of
Chinnereth, and Hamath.
What are the four conquered territories?
Edom, Moab, Ammon and Aram.
Which two cities shown are not part o f
Tyre and Sidon.
David’s kingdom?
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem?
Jerusalem was the political center of Israel, and the presence of the Ark
would make it the religious center as well.
What happened to the man who touched the Ark in order to keep it
from falling?
He died instantly.
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What was David’s mistake while moving the Ark of the Covenant?
He had not followed the directives of the Law to transport it properly.
How did David dress when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into
Jerusalem?
He dressed not as a king but as a priest, wearing a linen ephod.
How did David behave during the procession of the Ark of the Covenant?
He leaped and danced for joy with all his might, so much so that his wife, Michal, was
disgusted with him.
Why was it acceptable for David to act as a priest whereas Saul had been
punished?
Saul carried out a ritual to get a good result for his own benefit. David danced and
made offerings out of love and joy, asking nothing in return. This is part of David’s
being a man “after God’s own heart.”
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A major poetical device of Psalm 24—and many other psalms—is parallelism, that is,
repeating a phrase using different words.
For example: “He has founded [the earth] upon the seas, / and established it upon the rivers”
(v. 2). Another example: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? / And who shall stand in his
holy place?” (v. 3).
Parallelism makes poetry easier to memorize and helps people understand the text.
In this example, the second line interprets the first: “[He] does not lift up his soul to what is
false, / and does not swear deceitfully” (v. 4). The meaning of the first line might have
remained obscure without the second; in light of the second line, the Sacred Author clarifies
the meaning: to lift up one’s soul means to swear an oath.
Work with a partner to identify two examples of parallelism in any other psalm.
Share examples.
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph describing how David made Jerusalem the political and
religious capital of his kingdom.
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions 1–4 (p. 205)
Practical Exercise 1 (p. 206)
Workbook Questions 1–16
Read “The Covenant with David” through “Beyond Sinai to Zion” (pp.
195–198)
1. Jerusalem: Israel’s Political and
Religious Center (pp. 190–194)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Write a ten-verse psalm using parallelism (see the Guided Exercise, p. 194) recounting David’s
life to this point.
You only need five points, each of which will be presented twice, each time in different
words.
Here is a possible structure:
1. Samuel chose David.
2. Samuel chose David.
3. David defeated Goliath.
4. David defeated Goliath.
5. David befriended Saul.
6. David befriended Saul.
7. David became king.
8. David became king.
9. David brought the Ark to Jerusalem.
10. David brought the Ark to Jerusalem.
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Opening Prayer using Psalm 89 (p. 201).
We will be learning how this psalm explains aspects of the Davidic
Covenant.
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
BASIC QUESTIONS
What did God do for David when he offered to build a Temple for God in
Jerusalem?
How was David a king “after God’s own heart”?
KEY IDEAS
When David offered to build a house for God in Jerusalem, God, instead, made
David a house, establishing a new and everlasting covenant with him.
David exercised his kingship consistent with being a man “after God’s own heart.”
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Conduct a think / pair / share using the following question:
What did King David and the Prophet Nathan have in mind when they
wanted to build a Temple in Jerusalem?
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / share using the following question:
According to the Catechism, no. 2579, in what ways was David a king “after
God’s own heart”?
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Complete the following table to understand God’s lavish promises to
David and his son (cf. 2 Sm 7:11–16, p. 195).
Promise
Dynasty
Kingdom
Temple
God’s own son
Never disown
Never end
God’s Promises to David
Explanation
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
Promise
Dynasty
Kingdom
Temple
God’s own son
Never disown
Never end
God’s Promises to David
Explanation
Unlike Saul, David will found a dynasty. His descendants will continue to rule after his
time.
His son will rule a kingdom (a collection of nation s).
David’s son will build the Temple David had hoped to build.
God will adopt the son of David as his own son.
Although God will punish David’s son if he sins, he will never repudiate him, as he
repudiated Saul and his sons.
The dynasty of David will never end. The throne of David will always be occupied by a
descendant of David.
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
CLOSURE
Free write for five minutes about what you consider to be the most
important feature of the Davidic Covenant (cf. p. 195).
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions 5–9 (p. 205)
Workbook Questions 17–19
Read “The Davidic Covenant: Seven Primary Features” through
“Summary: The Main Features of the Davidic Covenant” (pp. 199–203)
2. The Davidic Covenant (pp. 195–198)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Use the table comparing the Sinai Covenant and the Zion Covenant (p.
198) to write a paragraph contrasting the two covenants.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Review the first five covenants (p. 15).
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
BASIC QUESTIONS
What are the seven primary features of the Davidic Covenant?
What are the three secondary features of the Davidic Covenant?
KEY IDEAS
The seven primary features of the Davidic Covenant:
1. David’s line will inherit a kingdom;
2. his line will be a dynasty;
3. when anointed king, his son will be God’s own son;
4. the covenant is unlimited in time and space;
5. Jewish life will be centered in Jerusalem;
6. the Temple will be the center of worldwide worship; and
7. there will be a law for all nations.
The three secondary features of the Davidic Covenant:
1. there will be a queen mother, an advisor held in high honor;
2. there will be a prime minister with the power of the keys; and
3. the thank-offering will become the primary act of worship; these secondary features relate to
the New Testament realities of Mary, the papacy, and the Eucharist.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Were all the features of the Davidic Covenant obvious from its very
beginning?
No, they were made clear through the course of David’s dynasty.
What did it mean for David to be “the highest of the kings of the
earth”?
David and his descendants would be great kings.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did it mean to say, “The Lord will make you a house”?
God would create a Davidic dynasty.
What did it mean to say, “You are my son, today I have begotten you”?
David’s son would be adopted as God’s own son.
What did it mean to say “dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to
the ends of the earth”?
It meant the entire world would come under the throne of David.
What did it mean to say, “Out of Zion shall go forth law and the word of the
Lord from Jerusalem”?
Jerusalem would be the spiritual center of the world.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
Feature
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Complete the following table
to organize the seven
primary features of the
Davidic Covenant and the
first four reflected in
Psalm 89.
Seven Primary Features of the Davidic Covenant
What the Feature of the
Reflected in Psalm 89
Davidic Covenant Means
Kingdom
Dynasty
God’s own Son
Unlimited
Jerusalem
Temple
These three terms do not
have parallels in Psalm 89.
Temple.
Wisdom
Seven Primary Features of the Davidic Covenant
Feature
What the Feature of the
Reflected in Psalm 89
Davidic Covenant Means
Kingdom
David’s son will have a
I will make him the
great kingdom.
first-born, the highest of
the kings of the earth.
Dynasty
The covenant is made
I will establish his line
with David’s whole
for ever and his throne
dynasty, his entire
as the days of the
house.
heavens.
God’s own Son
When the son of David
He shall cry to me,
is anointed, he is
‘Thou art my Father.’
adopted as God’s own
son. This anointing will
make him the messiah,
or christ.
Unlimited
The covenant is
I will set his hand on the
unlimited in time and
sea and his right hand
space. It will last forever
on the rivers.
and extend to the whole
His line shall endure
world.
forever.
Jerusalem
Mt. Zion eclipses Mt.
Sinai. Jerusalem is now
the spiritual center of
the world.
Temple
All the people in the
world were invited to
These three terms do not
worship the God of
Israel in the Temple in
have parallels in Psalm 89.
Jerusalem.
Temple
Wisdom
Instead of a particular
law for Israel alone,
David’s son would get a
Torah for every Adam –
a law for all mankind
based on wisdom.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did the prophets foretell about the importance of
Jerusalem?
There would be a time when all nations would flock to Zion, or
Jerusalem.
Who built (did the work on) the Temple of Jerusalem?
Phoenician, i.e., Gentile, artists and craftsmen built the Temple.
What was the new law of the Davidic Covenant?
The new law was wisdom. Wisdom literature was to the Davidic
Covenant what the Pentateuch was to the Mosaic Covenant.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Complete the table, comparing the secondary features of the Davidic Covenant
and the features of the New Covenant.
Secondary Features of the Davidic Covenant and Christ’s New Covenant
Feature
Davidic Covenant
Christ’s New Covenant
Queen mother
Prime minister
Thank offering
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
Secondary Features of the Davidic Covenant and Christ’s New Covenant
Feature
Davidic Covenant
Christ’s New Covenant
Queen Mother
Solomon brought a throne for
Christian’s see Mary, the Queen
his mother on his right hand.
Mother, as the second highest
The Queen Mother became a
personage in history and the most
permanent feature in the rule of important intercessor.
the Davidic king and one of the
king’s most important advisors.
Prime Minister
The prime minister or chief
Peter was the chief apostle of Christ
steward stands between the king on whom Christ built the Church.
and his other ministers. The
Christ gave Peter the Keys of the
symbol of his office is the keys
Kingdom of Heaven with the power
of the kingdom, to shut and
to bind and loose.
open.
Thank Offering The thank offering of bread and Christians continue to offer the
wine, called todah in Hebrew,
Eucharist in which bread and wine
eucharistia in Greek, became
are transubstantiated into the Body
the primary liturgy celebrated at and Blood of Christ in an unbloody
the Temple. In the time of the
renewal of the sacrifice of Christ,
Messiah, this would be the only the Messiah.
sacrifice that would continue to
be offered.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
CLOSURE
Use the Graphic Organizer on page 201 to write a well-organized
paragraph about the seven primary features of the Davidic
Covenant.
Write no more than one sentence per feature.
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions 10–16 (p. 205)
Practical Exercise 2 (p. 206)
Workbook Questions 20–26
3. Features of the Davidic Covenant (pp. 199–203)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Free write for five minutes about one of the secondary features of the
Davidic Covenant and how it relates to the organization and practice of
the Church.
The End