The Kingdom concept in the Old Testament is God's promised earthly kingdom for Israel, established through the Davidic line and culminating in Messiah's reign.
Les Feldick shows that this kingdom is not a vague spiritual idea but a real kingdom over the nation of Israel in their land. It was previewed in the glorious reigns of David and Solomon, and the disciples' question in Acts 1:6 about 'restoring again' the kingdom reflects that historical reality. The promises to Abraham and David establish that the kingdom was perpetually in God's plan.
2 Samuel 7:16 — This verse directly reveals God's promise that David's house and kingdom would be established forever, making the kingdom a permanent part of God's plan.
Psalm 89:36-37 — These verses repeat the promise that David's throne would endure as long as the sun and moon, confirming the kingdom's enduring significance.
In 2 Samuel 7, God tells David that his royal house and kingdom will be established forever. The Lord also promises that David's offspring will build a house for God's name and that the throne of that kingdom will be established forever. This is not described as an invisible or merely spiritual realm; it is an earthly kingdom with a royal line and a throne. Psalm 89:36-37 echoes the same promise, declaring that David's seed will endure forever and that his throne will be established as long as the sun and the moon. The Old Testament presents the kingdom as a definite, perpetual reality that God pledged to Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that the Kingdom concept is woven throughout the Old Testament from its beginning, but especially after God called Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant promised Abraham a nation, a specific geographical land, and eventually a king or government over that kingdom. For Les, the word 'kingdom' in Scripture, unless the text indicates otherwise, refers to this covenant kingdom that is to come over the nation of Israel when their Messiah, from the line of David, is their King. Les also shows that Israel's memory of David and Solomon's glory was the reference point for the disciples' question in Acts 1:6. The words 'restore again' prove that Israel once had a kingdom and that the same kind of visible, earthly kingdom would be brought back. He further notes that a viable kingdom cannot exist without a king, and a king is of no use without a kingdom, so the Old Testament repeatedly connects the promised ruler to the promised kingdom. Finally, Les points out that the 'forever' language in 2 Samuel 7 looks beyond David and Solomon. The earthly kingdom promised to Israel has a defined thousand-year period in Revelation, but that millennial reign is only the introduction to the eternal setting.
Les explains that when the disciples asked Jesus whether He would 'restore again' the kingdom to Israel, the phrase 'again' points to a kingdom Israel had already experienced. That was the earthly kingdom under David and Solomon, especially Solomon's glory, which was greater than any report she had heard. The disciples' thinking was shaped by that memory, and they were wondering if Israel would now have a kingdom like Solomon's, but even more glorious under the Messiah.
According to Les, God's covenant with Abraham promised three things: a nation of people, a geographical land, and an eventual king or government. This comprises the kingdom that all of Scripture looks forward to. He also says that every use of the word 'kingdom' in Scripture, unless the text clearly says otherwise, is pointing to this covenant kingdom where Israel is in her promised land and the Messiah is their King.
Les notes that God's promise to David about his house and kingdom being established 'forever' shows that God is looking beyond the little kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon. This is the beginning of eternity's promises. He also points out that Revelation puts a thousand-year time limit on the earthly kingdom, but that thousand-year reign of Christ is merely the introduction to the eternal setting found in Revelation 21.
Israel's Past Kingdom Under David and Solomon
Les shows that the words 'restore again' in Acts 1:6 prove Israel already had a kingdom in the past, and their glorious picture of that kingdom was David's and Solomon's reign.
Kingdom From the Call of Abraham
Les traces the Old Testament kingdom concept back to the Abrahamic covenant, which promised a nation, a land, and eventually a king or government.
Disciples' Expectation of Solomon's Glory
The Eleven remembered David and Solomon's glory and wondered whether Israel would now have a kingdom like Solomon's in all its splendor.
Kingdom Defined by the Abrahamic Covenant
Les teaches that whenever the word 'kingdom' appears in Scripture, unless the text shows otherwise, it refers to the covenant kingdom over Israel with Messiah as King on the throne of David.
Israel's Glory Under David and Solomon
Les notes that Israel reached her glory under David and Solomon, and the disciples understood that the Messiah's reign would be even more glorious.
Kingdom Promised to David and Extended by Solomon
Les explains that the kingdom was promised to David, extended under Solomon, then interrupted, but one day it will become a viable reality when God the Son, the Messiah, becomes King.
The 'Forever' Promise and the Eternal Kingdom
The promise that David's house and kingdom would be established forever shows God is looking beyond David and Solomon; Revelation gives a thousand-year time limit, then introduces eternity.
A Kingdom Needs a King
Les stresses that you cannot have a viable kingdom without a king, and a king is of no use without a kingdom; the Messiah from David's line brings both together.
2 Samuel 7:13: He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
God promises David that his descendant's kingdom throne will be established forever, showing the kingdom's permanence.
2 Samuel 7:16: And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
This is the foundational promise that David's house and kingdom will not end but will be established forever.
Psalm 89:36: His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
The Psalm repeats God's covenant promise that David's seed and throne will endure as long as the sun.
Psalm 89:37: It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
The throne's permanence is compared to the moon's certainty, reinforcing the eternal character of the kingdom.
Les Feldick teaches it was an earthly kingdom over the nation of Israel, with a king and a government. It was not a mere spiritual metaphor; it was the same kind of kingdom Israel had under David and Solomon, but it will be even more glorious under the Messiah.
Yes. In Acts 1:6 the disciples asked Jesus if He would 'restore again' the kingdom to Israel. Les points out that the word 'again' means the kingdom existed in the past and will be brought back, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham and David.
Les notes that Revelation places a thousand-year time limit on the earthly kingdom, which is why it is called the millennium. That thousand-year reign of Christ, however, is only the introduction to the eternal setting in Revelation 21.
Watch the Teaching: Will God Restore the Kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6 Explained