This chapter details David’s final acts and words as king. At this point he is quite old, so his son Solomon is officially anointed and becomes the ruling king. At the end of the chapter the death of David is recorded (v26-30) and the text mentions his 40 year reign as king, and where the chronicles of his reign can be found.
“But who am I, and what is my people… For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all…” (v14-19 abr)
In David’s final public appearance before all of Israel he offers a prayer of blessing to God. He covers a couple of main themes, including thankfulness for all of God’s provision for the building of His temple, and there’s this deeper theme buried in the verses quoted above.
David recognizes that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rm 3:23), making us strangers/sojourners/foreigners to God’s kingdom. Our mortal life is fleeting and our years are few. God demands flawlessness to enter His presence, so He has provided His laws (and now Jesus) to make it possible for us to be forgiven of our sin. Our only way of receiving such a provision is to turn our hearts toward God, believing that we have been forgiven, and choosing to follow God (obey Him) in our every day lives.
Like David, we have all sinned against God, and need/needed His forgiveness. My encouragement for today is to refresh our memories on the massive gift we have been given: the gift of life and forgiveness which frees us from condemnation and death (what we deserved as sinners).
As David blessed the Lord in his final words before Israel, let’s also bless the Lord, and praise His holy and generous name, for He has given us abundant grace and mercy. I’m going to close by paraphrasing some more of David’s prayer in my own words.
Father God, blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel. You, O Lord, are great, powerful, glorious, victorious and majestic. All that is in the heavens and earth is yours and created by Your wondrous hand. You are truly sovereign, O Lord, and you are greater than all others. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. You are powerful and mighty in works, and You bless everyone with strength and provision. We thank you and honor you our God, and praise your glorious name forever and ever, amen. (v10-13 par)
~ Conqueror in Training