1 & 2 Samuel: Forever Means Forever

Movie-goers who enjoyed the 1993 American classic Sandlot will remember the epic scene where it was declared of the backyard beast that he would remain locked up until “forever.”

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For-ever. For-ever. For-ever.

Forever is a really long time. I don’t think most of us can really grasp just how long forever is. We’ll say things like, “This red light is taking forever to turn green.” But even still, our understanding of forever is betrayed by the fact that…eventually…we will make it through the intersection on green and make our way to our final destination. In that case “forever” really just means a little longer than we’d typically like to wait.

But when the Bible speaks of forever, it really means forever. And forever means forever—as in, endlessly, eternally, permanently.

In 1 Samuel 2 Hannah prayed a remarkable prayer. The mother of Samuel—recall that Samuel anointed Israel’s first two kings—trusted God’s sovereign rule and reign over all things.

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Sam. 2:10)

Under no circumstances would God’s royal plans be thwarted. But more than that, God’s own kingly throne would be established, never to be undone.

Check out what Nathan, under God’s leading, told King David.

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (2 Sam. 7:12-13)

God promised to establish a kingship from David’s own line. In the near term, this was a clear reference to King Solomon. But notice this establishing of “his kingdom” cannot only refer to Solomon. Why? Because Solomon eventually died. His royal throne in due time came to an end. Yet the Scripture speaks of a “forever” kingdom. This then must be a longterm reference to the rule and reign of King Jesus, David’s “son,” that is, David’s offspring.

Christ’s throne and kingdom, which was firmly established at his ascension when he sat down—now coronated and crowned—at the right hand of God, will never cease to be. Am I forcing the 2 Samuel 7 text to say something beyond what it actually means?

I don’t believe so.

Hebrews 1:8, quoting Psalm 45:6, reads:

But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

Folks, the book of Hebrews was written nearly two thousand years ago. Christ’s throne, then and now, still stands strong. The King’s kingdom has not gone away—nor will it die down. Not now, not ever. Indeed, Christ’s rule and reign will last forever.

And when I say “forever,” I really mean forever. And that’s something even non-Sandlot lovers can appreciate.

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