Long after King David passed from the scene, God promised, “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the Lord have spoken” (Ezek. 34:23-24).

Who is “My servant David,” and why does God speak this way? We have a hint in the latter part of the quotation. “My servant David” will be a prince.

Ezekiel 37:24 is more specific. “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them.” “My servant David” is a coming king.

Isaiah 9:7 speaks of this coming king. “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.” Luke 1:31-32 teaches us that this king is Jesus Christ the Lord. “My servant David” is therefore none other than Jesus Christ.

Why does God speak of Christ in this way? Why does Scripture link David and Christ like this? The why questions are premature. We should observe, first of all, that the link is there. This biblical link shows us that David was a forerunner to Christ. He was a type of Christ (see previous columns about types in the Bible). We therefore see certain similarities between David and Christ. David was a king. Christ is the King. David was a militant king. Christ is also a militant King. David subdued his enemies and consolidated a kingdom. Christ is also subduing His and our enemies and consolidating His kingdom. David was a shepherd king. Christ is the Shepherd King.

David offered a sacrifice on Mount Moriah to save Israel. He did so at the command of God, acting as both priest and king. Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice on that same mount, and He is Priest of God Most High and King of Glory.

David was also a prophet. Christ was the Prophet. As David performed service as a prophet, priest, and king, Christ was the Prophet, Priest, and King. David was indeed a type of Christ.

A type is prophetic. It requires an antitype. David’s historical presence in Israel, in the world, as king, required the coming of Christ, the antitype and answer to God’s work in and through David. This is the link God establishes between David and Christ and sets before us in Scripture. Referring to Christ as “My servant David” arises from this connection.

Now we are ready for the next question. Why does Scripture link David and Christ the way it does? In the final analysis, the Bible is one book with one message. The Old Testament looks forward to and prepares for the New Testament. We therefore interpret the Old Testament by the New Testament. We must also interpret the New Testament in light of the Old Testament. The Bible is one story with many facets. This means you may read the individual stories of the Old Testament and learn the practicalities of the faith once for all delivered to the saints. You may read these stories and learn to live for Jesus Christ.