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In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This language reflects 1 Samuel 22:2, where David gathered men who were in distress, in debt, and bitter in soul.
It also reflects 1 Samuel 22:23, when David offers his protection to the priest Abiathar, after Doeg the Edomite had massacred the other priests.
Is Jesus making a messianic claim by making a reference to David gathering his men?
Yes, but only typologically, for historical DavI’d soothed those afflicted by earthly calamities, whereas the promised Davidic Messiah whom historical David regards and worships as Lord (Psalm 110:1) soothes people from both bodily and spiritual afflictions of sins, which only God can do, and thus it signifies Christ’s divinity and resonates perfectly with the Isaiah’s: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).
