Soon after David’s days things began falling apart. These are of course common things in the political world. Because of Solomon’s sins the kingdom of Israel was split, with David’s heirs getting only a minor share of the split kingdom.

Soon the prophets were forecasting the fall
of David’s kingdom.

All of this was in the face of clear prophecies of David’s kingdom that “your throne shall be established forever,” 2Sam 7:16. It was clear that the Davidic kingdom was slipping. So where were the promises of everlasting rule? Were these false prophecies?

Then came predictions of a revival
of David’s kingdom.

Isaiah talked first of a branch of the Lord.

“In that day, Yahweh’s branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel.”
Isa 4:2 WEB

Jeremiah spoke of a “branch” seemingly from the house of David.

“Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
Jer 23:5 WEB

Further prophecies spoke of this branch coming as seemingly a tender shoot from the stock (should we say, the stump?) of David, or as stated, from David’s father Jesse.

“There shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.”
Isa 11:1 WEB

Or a few verses later it speaks of if as from the root of the tree itself, as if soon nothing much will be showing above ground.

“It shall happen in that day, that the root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the peoples, to him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious.”
Isa 11:10 WEB

But when this root takes hold, it will prosper.

“In days to come shall Jacob take root; Israel shall blossom and bud; and they shall fill the surface of the world with fruit.
Isa 27:6 WEB

And it will bring prosperity to Judah.

“The remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.”
Isa 37:31 WEB

It must be commented that Jesus, that branch, has not meant prosperity for Judah so far! Still the prophet says it will come, and it will. This root, this shoot of David, of Jesse, will not be a beautiful or handsome thing after the flesh according to Isaiah.

“For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”
Isa 53:2 WEB

And he is symbolically called “Joshua”

A high priest named Joshua of Zechariah’s time and his assistants “… are men who are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant, the Branch.” Zech 3:8 WEB. And of course, when the branch came, His name in Hebrew was “Yehoshuah,” or in English, Joshua, or from the Greek, Jesus.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901