But our brother does not think Solomon sat on Jehovah’s throne, but on David’s throne. It is strange that these future-kingdom advocates can see 1 Kings 2:12, 24, but cannot see 1 Chron. 29:23: “Then Solomon sat on the throne of Jehovah as king instead of David his father.” This language shows also that David had sat on the throne of Jehovah. It was really Jehovah’s throne, but was called David’s throne because he occupied it. And while Solomon occupied it, it was also his throne. Concerning Solomon, Jehovah said: “I will establish his throne forever.” It was Jehovah’s throne, David’s throne, and then Solomon’s throne. Hence, God had allowed the people to have their way and put a king on his throne. The management of the affairs of the kingdom was in the hands of the king. “Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel.” (1 Sam. 14:47.) The whole organization of the kingdom was in the king’s hands. But enough of this. Here are the questions:
1. “Was the kingdom of David a material, visible kingdom, or an invisible spirit kingdom?”
It was a kingdom like other kingdoms. The people said: “We will have a king over us, that we may be like all the nations.” And Jehovah said to Samuel: “Hearken unto their voice.” (1 Sam. 8:18-22.) That settles it. It was a kingdom patterned after other kingdoms. That kingdom was destroyed and how any sane person should expect God to restore a kingdom that was organized in rebellion against him is one of the mysteries.
2. “God destroyed it, but said he would restore it as in the days of old. (Amos 9:11-15.) Has it been restored as it was?”
God did not say that he would restore that rebellious kingdom as it was. The tabernacle of David was the royal family of David. The royal house, or family, of David fell. It was set up again when Jesus, of the royal family of David, was exalted at God’s right hand and made both Lord and Messiah. (Acts 2:29-36.) According to James, this had to be done before the gospel could be preached to the Gentiles. (Acts 15:13-19.) That prophecy of Amos has been fulfilled.
3. “Have all Israel been gathered from the nations and given possession of their land, with David as their king, as prophesied in Ezek. 37:10-24?”