Before we turn more fully to David’s Son, we should remember that David himself is not the fulfillment of the law. It is easy to overstate David’s role since he develops matters about which Moses only hinted. As it happens, each of these has connections with music.
- Think about earthly kingship. It is barely mentioned in the law (Deuteronomy 17:14-17). But it becomes a reality much later, beginning with King Saul. Israel’s kingship reaches the height of earthly glory in King David and King Solomon. Great choirs and orchestras are part of that glory.
- Think about the sacred tent, also called the tabernacle. God gives Moses the details for a tent and its service. Yet God well knows He will later give David exact plans for the far greater structure, the temple, and its expanded services—including more music.
- Think about the music itself. The sacred tent has just two types of instruments: bells and trumpets. God lets the wider range of instruments and their purposes wait until the time of King David.
As great as David is, he is not the Messiah. As great as David’s developments are, they are part of the journey, and not the journey’s end. Those developments—the earthly kingship, the earthly temple, the earthly music—are sign posts along the way to the destination. Who is the destination? Jesus, our Immanuel! Who is the fulfillment? Jesus, our King! Even David prophetically calls Him, “my Lord” (Psalm 110:1; Mark 12:36; Acts 2:34).