What Is the Key of David?
The “key of the house of David” or “key of David” is mentioned only twice in the Bible (Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7). Possessing the key of David indicates total rule, authority, and control over David’s house, which includes the royal court, access to Judah’s king, and oversight of the king’s treasury.
This key is first mentioned during the reign of Judean King Hezekiah. Shebna, an influential foreigner, possessed the key but was removed from his position and exiled into a far country, where he died in shame (Isa. 22:18–19).
Eliakim replaced Shebna, and God gave him the key to the Davidic kingdom and all authority to control the royal house (vv. 20–22). He proved to be worthy and brought glory to his position and his father’s house (v. 23).
Scripture portrays Eliakim as a type of Israel’s Messiah. Isaiah prophesied that Messiah would be a royal Son of David and rightful heir to his throne, kingdom, and promises in the Davidic Covenant (9:6–7).
Likewise, Jesus the Messiah has absolute authority to administer the spiritual and material affairs of God’s Kingdom. The apostle John wrote of Him, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens’” (Rev. 3:7).
Christ presented Himself in three ways to the Philadelphian church:
1. As “holy” (v. 7). Being God, Christ is holy, entirely set apart and separated from sin and sinners.
2. As “true” (v. 7). Christ is the true and genuine God. He is truth (Jn. 14:6). Jesus’ Word is reliable, trustworthy, and without error (Mt. 24:35).
3. As having “the key of David” (Rev. 3:7). Only Christ has access to all wealth within the Davidic kingdom. God the Father gave Him the keys of heaven’s treasury.
Christ alone has absolute authority over the spiritual riches of salvation. He has “the keys of Hades and of Death” (1:18), and He determines each person’s destiny. He holds royal power and sovereignty over heaven and Earth (Mt. 28:18). His authority over David’s house points to His rule in the Messianic Kingdom, after which He will rule for eternity.
When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would bring forth Jesus, he prophesied, “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Lk. 1:32–33).
