Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. NowThe word "Now" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a shift in the narrative. It connects the preceding events of David's reign with the new developments that are about to unfold. This transition is crucial as it sets the stage for the succession narrative, highlighting the urgency and importance of the events that follow. In the Hebrew text, the word often translated as "now" is "וַיְהִי" (vayehi), which is frequently used to introduce a new section or story, emphasizing continuity in the biblical narrative. King David
David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the Bible, known for his heart for God, his psalms, and his leadership. The mention of "King David" here underscores his established authority and the legacy he has built. Historically, David's reign is marked by the unification of Israel and Judah and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center. His life is a testament to God's covenant faithfulness, despite David's personal failings. was old and advanced in years
This phrase highlights David's physical decline and the natural progression of life. In Hebrew, the phrase "זָקֵן בָּא בַּיָּמִים" (zaken ba bayamim) conveys not just age but the accumulation of experiences and wisdom. David's advanced age signifies a transition period for the nation of Israel, as the need for a new leader becomes apparent. It also serves as a reminder of the human condition and the inevitability of aging, even for a king chosen by God. and though they covered him with blankets
The act of covering David with blankets indicates an attempt to provide comfort and warmth, a basic human need. This detail reflects the care and concern of those around him, possibly his servants or family members. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such actions were common for the elderly or infirm, highlighting the communal responsibility to care for the vulnerable. It also symbolizes the limitations of human efforts in addressing the deeper issues of life and mortality. he could not get warm
This phrase underscores David's frailty and vulnerability in his old age. Despite the efforts to warm him, his inability to retain heat signifies a deeper, spiritual truth about human insufficiency and the need for divine intervention. In a broader biblical context, warmth can symbolize life and vitality, and David's inability to get warm foreshadows the need for a new source of leadership and strength for Israel. It serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the enduring need for God's presence and guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. King DavidThe central figure in this verse, David is the second king of Israel, known for his heart for God, his military conquests, and his role in establishing Jerusalem as the nation's capital. At this point in the account, he is elderly and frail. 2. JerusalemWhile not mentioned directly in this verse, Jerusalem is the city where David reigned and where these events are taking place. It is significant as the political and spiritual center of Israel. 3. David's ServantsThough not named in this verse, David's servants play a role in attempting to care for him by covering him with blankets to keep him warm. Teaching Points The Reality of AgingAging is a natural part of life, even for those who are greatly used by God. David's frailty reminds us of the temporal nature of our earthly bodies. Dependence on GodAs physical strength diminishes, our dependence on God should increase. David's life exemplifies a reliance on God throughout all stages of life. Leadership TransitionThe transition of leadership is inevitable. This verse sets the stage for the transition from David to Solomon, reminding us of the importance of preparing the next generation. Care for the ElderlyThe efforts of David's servants to keep him warm highlight the importance of caring for the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's condition in 1 Kings 1:1 reflect the broader biblical theme of human frailty and dependence on God? Consider Psalm 71:9 in your response. 2. In what ways can we prepare for the inevitable transitions in leadership within our families, churches, and communities, as seen in the transition from David to Solomon? 3. How can the church better support and care for its elderly members, drawing from the example of David's servants? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or vulnerable. How did your faith in God sustain you during that period? 5. How does understanding the aging process from a biblical perspective, as seen in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, influence your view of life and priorities? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 5:4-5Provides context for David's reign, noting his age when he became king and the length of his reign, which helps us understand the timeline of his life and the significance of his old age in 1 Kings 1:1. Psalm 71:9Reflects David's plea to God not to forsake him in his old age, showing his reliance on God even as his physical strength wanes. Ecclesiastes 12:1-7Offers a poetic description of the aging process, which can be related to David's condition in this verse. People Abiathar, Abishag, Absalom, Adonijah, Bathsheba, Benaiah, Cherethites, David, Haggith, Jehoiada, Joab, Jonathan, Kerethites, Nathan, Pelethites, Rei, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces En-rogel, Gihon, Jerusalem, Serpent's StoneTopics Advanced, Age, Although, Body, Clothes, Cold, Couldn't, Cover, Covered, Covers, David, Entering, Garments, Gat, Got, Heat, Obtained, Stricken, Though, Warm, WarmthDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 1:1 5726 old age, attainment
8358 weakness, physical 1 Kings 1:1-4 5695 girls
5740 virgin
5940 searching Library David Appointing Solomon
'Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29. And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30. Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31. Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Adonijah
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. It is notorious that the sons of devout men sometimes prove a curse to their parents, and bring dishonour on the cause of God. When Eve rejoiced over her first-born, she little suspected that passions were sleeping within him which would impel him to slay his own brother; and the experience of the first mother has been repeated, though in different forms, in all lands and in all ages. Isaac's heart was rent by the deceit of Jacob, and by the self-will of Esau. …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Prayer Should be Vocal?
Objection 1: It would seem that prayer ought not to be vocal. As stated above [3025](A[4]), prayer is addressed chiefly to God. Now God knows the language of the heart. Therefore it is useless to employ vocal prayer. Objection 2: Further, prayer should lift man's mind to God, as stated above (A[1], ad 2). But words, like other sensible objects, prevent man from ascending to God by contemplation. Therefore we should not use words in our prayers. Objection 3: Further, prayer should be offered to God …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Reign of David.
2 Sam.; 1 Chron. Chs. 11-29; 1 K 1:1-2:11. His Reign over Judah. The reign of David is divided into two parts. The first part was over Judah, with the capitol at Hebron, and lasted seven and one-half years. During this period Ishbosheth, son of Saul, reigned over Israel in the North. It is probable that both of these kings were regarded as vassals of the Philistines and paid tribute. On account of rival leaders, there was constant warfare between these two rival kings. The kingdom of Judah, however, …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
Sections. 1. Connection between the doctrine of Justification and that of Regeneration. The knowledge of this doctrine very necessary for two reasons. 2. For the purpose of facilitating the exposition of it, the terms are explained. 1. What it is to be justified in the sight of God. 2. To be justified by works. 3. To be justified by faith. Definition. 3. Various meanings of the term Justification. 1. To give praise to God and truth. 2. To make a vain display of righteousness. 3. To impute righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 1:1 NIV1 Kings 1:1 NLT1 Kings 1:1 ESV1 Kings 1:1 NASB1 Kings 1:1 KJV
1 Kings 1:1 Commentaries
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