Key to the Old Testament is the notion that the Lord rules as King over and in the midst of his people. It is a concept that dates from at least the assembly at the foot of Mount Sinai where he gave his divine law (Exodus 15:18; Deuteronomy 33:2–5; see further Psalm 10:16; Psalm 22:28; Psalm 24:10; Psalm 103:19). Balaam viewed Israel as blessed, because the Lord their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them
(Numbers 23:21).
Often Scripture portrays God’s kingship among his people as through the Davidic monarchy. When the ark was brought to Jerusalem by King David, that symbolized a merging of the Lord’s kingship with David’s throne.1 And from David’s line would descend the coming messianic king, who would be also divine (Psalm 2:6; Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 32:1; Zechariah 9:9).2
The title King of Israel
in Zephaniah 3:15 sounds directly messianic (for other uses of the title, see Matthew 27:42; John 1:49; John 12:13). But it is striking that Zephaniah refers to God’s kingship not in relation to an earthly king from the Davidic monarchy but to the Lord himself. Of course, the prophet was not disregarding or cancelling out God’s covenant with David; the maintenance of Jerusalem was central to the covenant and obviously that is the theme of Zephaniah 3:1–20.3 Yet Zephaniah stresses the continuation of the city under a new king, a more powerful One.
Thus, the prophecy of the King of Israel
being in your midst
was likely not meant to be directly messianic. Rather, it is looking forward to the establishment of God’s rule, "which is viewed as exercised directly (as in Psalm 93:1–5, Psalm 96:1 – 99:9) and not through a mediatorial figure.”4
15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.