From 1 Chronicles 28-29
Attaining old age is regarded as a blessing from God, often as a reward for obedience. The physical weakness brought by old age is recognised; so too is God’s ability to strengthen and sustain the aged. Old age is often accompanied by a growth in wisdom and discernment.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
In today’s passage David’s reign has passed over to Solomon king. This is the account of the end of David’s rule and the beginning of Solomon’s.
22 And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and they anointed him as prince for the LORD, and Zadok as priest. (1 Ch 29:22)
Solomon was made king a second time? The first time Solomon was made king was when Adonijah tried to usurp David’s throne (1 Ki 1.9). After being notified by Bathsheba and Nathan, Solomon was made king (1 Ki 1.32-40).
Because they had to do it in such a rush I assume Solomon was made king a second time in a more official ceremony. The passage shows the Chronicler was aware of the issues involved in Solomon’s accession.
23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of David his father. And he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 25 And the LORD made Solomon very great in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. (1 Ch 29:23–25)
The transfer of kingship looks quite positive. Solomon prospered as David did. The people obeyed Solomon as David. Even all David’s mighty men now stood for Solomon. Thankfully the remaining sons of David pledged their allegiance.
The LORD made the king very great in the eyes of his people.
Such that none had been like him before in Israel. This is quite a commendation for Solomon and what the LORD had done for him.
26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 28 Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place. 29 Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer, and in the Chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the Chronicles of Gad the seer, 30 with accounts of all his rule and his might and of the circumstances that came upon him and upon Israel and upon all the kingdoms of the countries. (1 Ch 29:26–30)
The text finally gives an account of David’s reign. He reigned over all Israel for forty years.
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor.
His son was there to look after the family. All these are indicative of the LORD’s favour on him and the way most people would like to be when they die. Especially in Israel. The text lists a number of different Chronicles.
- the Chronicles of Samuel the seer,
- the Chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and
- the Chronicles of Gad the seer.
We don’t have these documents. Perhaps the book of Chronicles consist of these three put together. However they capture David’s ‘rule and might’ and the vents of his life.
Story of Israel
Attaining old age is regarded as a blessing from God, often as a reward for obedience. The physical weakness brought by old age is recognised; so too is God’s ability to strengthen and sustain the aged. Old age is often accompanied by a growth in wisdom and discernment.
Attaining old age is a blessing from God. Long life is promised in Deuteronomy as a reward for obedience.
33 You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. (Dt 5.33)
This works for communities as well. People reaching old age indicates God’s blessing on society. In Isaiah God promised to restore Israel and when he does he will prolong their age.
20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. (Isa 65.20)
The people of Israel valued long life. Death was an ugly intrusion into God’s good creation.
Story of Jesus
Some oldies in the gospel announced the significance of Jesus and what he would do. The following passage occurs after Jesus is born. He has been taken up to Jerusalem to be presented to the LORD and its people such as Simeon and Anna who prophesy over him. Sharing who he is and the significance of his life.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Lk 2:22–38)
David lived a long and full life and saw the beginnings of Solomon’s reign. At the time Solomon was regarded as the greatest of the kings of Israel. But someone greater than Solomon is here (Lk 11.31).
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2015. All Rights Reserved.
