The Resurrection of the “Son of David”

As we reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus during Holy Week, I’m reminded that the Old Testament resounds with the sure hope that a son of David would one day rule on God’s throne. After hundreds of years of waiting, the New Testament is filled with the good news that Jesus is the promised Son of David, born in Bethlehem in accordance with God’s promises of old (Matt 1:1-17; 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20).

When Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he is praised as the Son of David in fulfillment of Zachariah’s prophecy that the coming king would enter Jerusalem, humble and mounted on a donkey (Zech 9:9-10; cf. Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-14). The crowds shout out: “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” (Mark 11:10). We, too, shout out, “Hosanna!”

But there’s another promise given to David that is often overlooked . . .