Azahari Hassim
What is the covenant of David from a Jewish perspective?
The covenant of David, from a Jewish perspective, refers to the promise made by God to King David in the Hebrew Bible. According to this covenant, God promised that there would always be a descendant of David on the throne of Israel. This promise is seen as an eternal and unbreakable bond between God and the Jewish people.
The covenant of David is significant in Jewish theology because it establishes a line of kingship that is believed to lead ultimately to the Messiah. The Messiah is expected to be a descendant of King David who will rebuild the third Temple in Jerusalem and bring about a time of peace and prosperity for all humanity.
Some Islamic scholars argue that the Davidic covenant, which traditionally refers to the promise made by God to King David in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 7, verses 12 to 16) that his descendants would rule over Israel forever is superseded by the events described in Surah Sad (38), verses 34 to 35 of the Quran.
Here’s how their argument unfolds:
Surah 38, verses 34 to 35, read:
“And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he repented. He said, ‘My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.'”
This verse is interpreted as a divine test of Solomon’s faith and devotion. Following this test, Solomon repents and asks God for forgiveness and a kingdom unlike any other after him. This request is seen as a pivotal moment where Solomon acknowledges his dependence on God and seeks divine favor.
God responds to Solomon’s repentance by granting him a unique kingdom, as described in Surah 38, verses 35 to 39. This kingdom includes control over the wind, jinn, and other supernatural beings, which signifies a divine bestowal of power and authority.
Scholars argue that this divine intervention and the granting of a unique kingdom to Solomon indicate that the Davidic covenant, which promised an eternal kingdom to David’s lineage, has been superseded. Here are the key points:
1. Divine Test and Repentance: The test and subsequent repentance of Solomon are seen as a divine intervention that shifts the focus from the Davidic lineage to Solomon’s personal relationship with God. This shift implies that the promise of an eternal kingdom is now contingent on individual piety and divine favor rather than lineage alone.
2. Unique Kingdom: The kingdom granted to Solomon is described as unlike any other, suggesting that it transcends the traditional understanding of the Davidic covenant. This unique kingdom is not just about political rule but encompasses spiritual and supernatural authority, which is seen as a new covenant or a redefinition of the old one.
3. Divine Sovereignty: The narrative emphasizes God’s sovereignty in granting and taking away power. This underscores that the promise of an eternal kingdom is subject to God’s will, not an unconditional promise to a lineage.
4. Universal Message: This interpretation aligns with the Quranic theme of universal prophethood and divine guidance, where the message of Islam is for all humanity, not just a specific lineage or nation.
5. Historical Context: Some scholars also consider the historical context where the Davidic kingdom did not last eternally in the traditional sense, suggesting that the Quranic narrative provides a theological explanation for this historical reality.
6. Prophetic Succession: In Islam, leadership and divine favor culminate in the final prophethood of Muhammad, rather than in a perpetual Davidic monarchy.
In summary, some Islamic scholars interpret Surah 38, verses 34 to 35 as signifying the end of the Davidic covenant. Solomon is seen as requesting a special form of dominion from God, which was granted, thus setting the stage for a new divine structure for spiritual leadership within Islam.
Antichrist (Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal) in the Quran
The Quran Surah 38, verses 34 to 35, reads:
“And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.”
Solomon said, “My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
Some believe Surah 38, verses 34 to 35, in the Quran mean that God will never restore the glorious kingdom of Israel, that is, the Messianic kingdom, to the Jewish people because of Solomon’s prayer. The body that Solomon saw on the throne was none other than Anti-Christ. How is this argument explained?
The interpretation you mentioned is not universally accepted among scholars and theologians, as interpretations of religious texts can vary. However, I can provide an overview of a possible explanation for this argument, based on some interpretations of the mentioned verses.
Surah 38, verses 34 to 35, in the Quran tell the story of Solomon’s prayer to God. In this prayer, Solomon expresses his desire for a kingdom that no one after him would possess. Some interpret this to imply that the Messianic kingdom, which is expected by many Jews to be a future era of peace and righteousness under a descendant of King David, will not be restored to the Jewish people.
This interpretation is supported by the belief that the body that Solomon saw on the throne was that of the Anti-Christ. According to this perspective, the Anti-Christ is seen as a figure who will deceive people and claim false dominion, attempting to establish a counterfeit version of the Messianic kingdom.
From this viewpoint, Solomon’s prayer is understood as a request to God to prevent any future kingdom from having the same level of power and influence that Solomon enjoyed. It is believed that God responded to Solomon by denying the restoration of a glorious kingdom like his, in order to prevent any misleading claimants or false prophets from emerging.
It is essential to note that interpretations of religious texts can vary, and there are differing understandings among religious scholars and individuals. As a result, this explanation may not be the only interpretation, and some may interpret these verses differently.
The Israelites break the covenant God made with Moses by not following the Law, so God lets Israel’s enemies defeat them. God then makes a new covenant with King David, promising him that if the Israelites follow the Law, He will make David’s descendants rulers over the Kingdom of Israel. In this picture, David is shown bringing the Ark of the Covenant, holding the Ten Commandments, into Jerusalem.
Interpreting Jesus’ Statements on the Messiah: A Muslim Perspective on Biblical Prophecy
Jesus was teaching in the Temple area. He asked
“Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David?
With the help of the Holy Spirit, David himself says, ‘The Lord (God) said to my Lord ( my master): Sit by me at my right side, and I will put your enemies under your control. ‘
David himself calls the Messiah ‘Lord.’ So how can the Messiah be David’s son?” Many people listened to Jesus and were very pleased.
It has been argued by some Muslims that Jesus denies in Mark 12, verses 35 to 37, that the messiah Jews are looking for is a descendant of David. There is also a similar account in Luke 20, verses 41 to 44, and Matthew 22, verses 41 to 46. Their point of contention is that Jesus refers to Muhammad rather than himself. What is the significance of this argument?
The argument that Jesus refers to Muhammad in the above statements rather than to himself as the Messiah, and suggests that the Messiah Jews are awaiting is not a descendant of David, is an interpretation that emerges from a particular reading of these biblical passages in light of Islamic prophecy and eschatology.
This interpretation is not found within mainstream Christian theology but is part of Muslim perspectives that see Muhammad as the final prophet foretold in earlier scriptures, including the Bible. Here’s how this argument is typically explained:
- Jesus’ Questioning: Among Muslims, Jesus’ questioning is interpreted as a rejection of the idea that the Messiah is a physical descendant of David. Instead, they propose that Jesus is hinting at a more profound spiritual truth about the Messiah’s identity. This interpretation is seen as opening the door to the idea that Jesus might be indicating the coming of another prophet (Muhammad), as per Islamic belief, who is considered the final prophet and a messenger in Islam.
- Jewish Expectation: At the time, many Jews expected the Messiah to be a political or military leader who would liberate Israel from Roman rule. This expectation was based on various Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage.
- Reference to Muhammad: Some Muslims interpret Jesus’ reference to “my Lord” as a prophecy about Muhammad, who is considered in Islam to be the final prophet and a “Spiritual Messiah.” This interpretation is bolstered by Islamic teachings that regard Muhammad as the “Praised One” (which is what the name Muhammad means) and as fulfilling biblical prophecies about a final messenger.
- Distinction from Davidic Lineage: By focusing on the term “Lord” and the context in which Jesus presents his argument, some Muslims see this as a clear indication that the coming Messiah, who they believe is Muhammad, would have a different role and authority than the one traditionally ascribed to the Davidic Messiah. This reading suggests that Jesus was pointing to the advent of a new spiritual leader who would come from the lineage of Ishmael, not Isaac, thus not being a direct descendant of David but still fulfilling the role of a Messiah.
- Islamic Eschatology and Prophecy: This interpretation is part of a broader Islamic eschatological view that sees Jesus and Muhammad as connected within God’s plan for humanity. Jesus is seen as heralding the coming of Muhammad, with his mission serving as a bridge between Jewish expectations of a Messiah and the arrival of the final prophet, Muhammad.
It’s important to note that this interpretation is specific to Islamic theology and is not shared by Jewish or Christian traditions, which have their own understandings of the Messiah and the prophecies concerning him.
Jewish tradition continues to await the Messiah as a future leader of the Jewish people who will bring about a period of peace and righteousness. Christian tradition, on the other hand, identifies Jesus himself as the Messiah and Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies through his life, death, and resurrection.
ABRAHAMIC THEOLOGY 