In stark contrast, there is no uncertainty in our belief since we firmly see the fulfillment of all these aspects in our Lord Christ, “who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Unlike the Jewish perspective, we should not narrow the scope of this promise merely to earthly figures. The Jews themselves, despite their blindness, acknowledge that the promised son to David, as referenced in the above Scripture, was not Solomon, yet they continue to await another figure even after the Promised One has been so clearly revealed.
Nevertheless, there are elements of prophecy reflected in Solomon, notably in his construction of the temple and his peaceful reign—his name itself means “peacemaker”—along with the initial commendable start of his rule. However, Solomon does not represent the ultimate fulfillment but rather serves as a shadow of what is to come, which is embodied in our Lord Christ. Hence, the Scriptures say certain things about him, as though the prophetic texts apply directly to him, while in reality, they depict a foreshadowing of Christ's future. In addition to the historical accounts chronicling his reign, the seventy-first psalm is attributed to him, containing passages that clearly point towards the Lord Christ, revealing that Solomon serves as a figurative precursor to the truth found in Christ. It is evident that Solomon's kingdom was limited in scope; yet within the referenced psalm, it declares, “He shall possess from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.” We witness this being realized in Christ, whose ministry commenced at the river where He was baptized by John, and who was acknowledged by His disciples as not only Master but also Lord.
Moreover, Solomon began to ascend to the throne during David's lifetime, a circumstance not seen with any other king of Judah, serving to illustrate that he was not the one the prophecy to his father had foretold: “But when thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt be honoured with thy fathers, I will raise up after thee thy seed which shall come forth out of thy loins, and I will consolidate his kingdom.” It raises a question as to how, based on the subsequent phrase, “He shall build a house for my name,” one might presume it pertains to Solomon, rather than recognizing the preceding words, “When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt be honoured with thy fathers,” as indicative of another peace-bringing figure, whose coming was promised not before, as was Solomon, but after David's death. Regardless of the time gap before Christ's arrival, it is unequivocally affirmed that a successor, meant to construct a house for God—not of timber and stones, but of faithful individuals—is to come. The apostle reminds us, “The temple of God is holy; and this temple are ye.” Furthermore, in the eighty-eighth psalm, which is referred to as “The Doctrine of Epham Ezrahit,” divine promises made to King David are highlighted, including phrases resonant with those found in Kings. For instance, “I swore unto David my servant, I will establish thy seed forever.” Again it states, “Thou didst once speak in a vision to Thy holy one, and said: ‘I have given help to the courageous, I have raised up a chosen one from among the people. I have found David My servant, I have anointed him with My holy oil. My hand shall abide with him, and My muscle shall strengthen him. No enemy shall overcome him, and the son of iniquity shall not oppress him. I will crush his enemies before him, and I will smite those who hate him. And my truth and my mercy shall be with him, and by my name shall his horn be exalted. And I will put his hand upon the sea, and his right hand upon the rivers. He shall call to Me, ‘You are my father. My God and the stronghold of my salvation.’ And I will make him the firstborn above the kings of the earth. Forever I will keep my favour upon him, and my covenant with him shall be sure. And I will continue forever his seed, and his throne as the days of heaven.” When understood properly, all these statements apply to the Lord Jesus, who is often understood under the name of David due to the servitude this Mediator received from the Virgin of the seed of David.
THEOSIS