Before we ask about David’s son, what about that of David himself?

Before we ask about David’s son, what about that of David himself?

Before we get into the issue of David’s infant son and what type of an existence he will enter into in the future, we must ask ourselves about King David himself. What is his destiny? This question is pretty easily answered in fact because there are a number of Biblical texts which make this question quite clear. These are as follows:

“Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.” (Hosea 3:5 ESV)

“But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.” (Jeremiah 30:9 ESV)

And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken. (Ezekiel 34:23-24 ESV)

“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.  They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.  They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. (Ezekiel 37:24-25 ESV)

What the Bible seems to teach is that while Jesus Christ is going to be the king over the whole of the earth in the millennium (a period of 1,000 years which begins once Jesus returns to earth and the First Resurrection takes place), King David, as it says here above, is going to be the King over Israel during this period, which commences at the return of Christ Jesus back to this earth and then the first resurrection of the dead will take place. King David will be a part of this first resurrection. [Note that some can certainly say that the “David” mentioned in these texts may not necessarily be King David himself. It is an interpretation to say that this is the case. I am saying that it is indeed King David. One thing that is certain however is that King David is going to experience a resurrection from the dead in the future to immortal life and at some point during that future existence, he will see the son he lost as referenced in II Samuel 12:23.] 

Many years ago, I was taught about the questions concerning the various aspects of our resurrection lives by my late father, Dr. Ernest L. Martin. I have since that time synthesized and added some of my own suggestions to his extensive work on this subject.

Much of the writing he did on these subjects goes back to the late 1970's or early 1980's, but its relevance still remains very helpful for those of us seeking biblical answers to these questions about our dear departed loved ones, especially of those questions which concern the disposition of departed children who died before the age of accountability. 

My father wrote quite a lot on this subject and on particular article he published in May 1980 titled: "Surprising Factors Concerning the Resurrection of the Dead" provides some important teaching about the destiny of King David, who is our subject here in this post. 

The first point that is relevant to be addressed here and show is that King David is going to take part in what the Bible calls the first resurrection. Note the Biblical teaching concerning this point as mentioned by my father:

"The main resurrection to spiritual life for Christians is called in the Bible the first resurrection. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years: but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Rev. 20:5,6). Along with this should be placed Revelation 5:10.

"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth."

- (Ernest L. Martin - Surprising Factors Concerning the Resurrection Of The Dead, Foundation for Biblical Research: Pasadena: CA, 1980.)

In this resurrection, some Christians will be raised from the dead to take part in this time period of our future lives. Note an additional highly relevant comment from my father from the same paper:

"Who are these Christians who will experience this particular resurrection? Does it mean all Christians in general? The Bible gives some specific answers if we pay close attention to it. For one, even the apostle John in the Book of Revelation tells us who some of them will be. They are those "which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev.20:4). These particular people are those who live in the 3 and 1/2 year period just before the second coming of Christ. They are destined to be kings and priests with Christ on earth (Rev. 5:10). (ibid.)

However, Christians will not be the only persons taking part in this resurrection. King David will also be raised from the dead at this time and will reign with Christ during this period:

"There are, on the other hand, others of past times who are prophesied to fill the same role. These are the original apostles and some of the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets [like King David].

"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt. 19:28).

The nation of Israel is to be regenerated (re-born) after the second coming of Christ. Israelites who will have been scattered around the world during the time of Jacob's trouble at the end of the age (Jer.30:7) also called the period of the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21) will be re-gathered back to Zion. The nation of Israel will then be re-born with all twelve tribes returned to Palestine (Ezek. 37:15-28).

And note who will be resurrected to rule at that time: "And David my servant shall be king over them" (Ezek. 37:24). But David will not be the only one there. "The Lord reigneth ... in Zion ... Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them" (Psa. 99:1,2,6). For Moses, Aaron, and Samuel to be alive at the same time in the future shows a resurrection from the dead. This means that David will be king over Israel, but the others will be priests. There will also be a king to rule over all nations on earth not just Israel. That will be Christ Jesus himself (Psa. 2:6-8).

Underneath David in authority will be the twelve apostles ruling over each of the twelve tribes (Matt. 19:28). Still, many other people of past times will be resurrected on the same occasion to rule over ten cities, others over five, some over one city, and some with lesser jurisdictions (Luke 19:11-28). This is the time when the Kingdom of God promised by the prophets and so eagerly looked for by the apostles and early Christians will find its fulfillment on earth. It will last a thousand years a millennium! (Ernest L. Martin, ibid.)

Now, the question we have to ask is this. Will David’s son be raised to be in the same glorious spiritual existence that King David himself will inherit at that time? Will King David be carrying that baby around? Will King David be a father again? Will he have some role in raising his own son from the dead who died in this life again? He said that his son would not return to him, but that he would go to him. Will the baby be raised to be a mortal, physical life or an immortal, spiritual life? These are the questions we want answers to.

We not only want answers about the destiny of David's infant son who died, but we also want answers about our own infant children or other children who died before the age of accountability. Thankfully, the Holy Bible provides us with answers to these questions. 

We will be discussing these questions and will be providing solid, clear biblical answers to these questions and many more in future posts on this blog.