As we come to the final chapter of David’s life, we are reminded that life will one day come to an end.

Advancing in years is a funny feeling. When I was young, death seemed like an unrealistic distant future event. In my middle years, death still seemed too far away to think much about it. As I approach 60 years and my body is losing its youthful vitality, death seems much more realistic. This is especially true when I realize that my parents may have less than ten years of life left.

The Bible often indicates that God has a special reward for all who put Christ first in their lives and even if it means sacrificing or suffering for Him. Elbert Hubbard captured that thought when he wrote, “God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars.” Because we never know when we will die and face the Lord, it is wise for us to live every day as if it was our last.

Transition

This evening we are going to focus our attention on the three last events of the Life of David.

David’s Decline in Health

  1. David was old and cold(1Ki 1:1)
    1. He was old and his days were numbered. He knew he had only a short time of life left.
    2. Being old, he was cold and warm clothes did not heat his cold body.
  2. Decision was made to find him a young wife (1Ki 1:2-4)
    1. The custom of the day was to take a young woman as an additional wife. Her youthful body would help to warm him.
    2. Abishag a Shunammite was chosen. This very beautiful young woman served the king and ministered to his needs as a nurse.
    3. Verse 4 tells us that “he knew her not”. This was not a sexual relationship.
    4. By recording these facts, God is not justifying what was done. He is simply tell us the facts. Polygamy was common in those days. God tolerated it, but God’s plan from the Creation was one man with one woman for life. We dare not use the sins of men in the past to justify bad choices in our own lives.
      ☆ When an elderly person begins to decline in health that is usually an indication that he or she does not have too much longer to live. God does not always wait until a Christian is elderly to take them home. Sometimes death comes suddenly when it is least expected. The best thing we can do now is to prepare for those days by living to magnify Christ in everything. Seek to live out Paul’s goal in Philippians 1:20.
      ☆ (Philippians 1:20) “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

David’s Decision about the Throne

  1. Adonijah’s attempt to reign (1Ki 1:5-10)
    1. He was the fourth son of David, and apparently David’s oldest living son at the time. By custom, he was in line to be the next king of Israel.
      1. He was a spoilt son that had been allowed to do as he pleased throughout his life (1Ki 1:6).
      2. He was a very goodly man (i.e., pleasant and agreeable).
        ☆ Parents, this is another powerful reminder of the importance of disciplining your children when they are young and putting your whole heart into building character in their lives.
    2. When Adonijah could see that his father was sick and near death, he proclaimed himself to be king.
    3. Both Joab (David’s military commander) and Abiathar the priest helped him in this coup. Note however the loyal men who were not part of this coup (v.8).
    4. Adonijah made a big feast, but several significant people were not invited (v.10).
    5. Adonijah ignored God’s will in an attempt to please himself. Any time we please ourselves instead of God, we will eventually regret it. If you choose to act or talk or dress, or spend in a way that does not honour God, it will catch up with you.
      ☆ (Galatians 6:7-8) “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
  2. David is told of the coup
    1. Nathan the prophet told Bathsheba and requested that she go tell the king (v.11-14).
    2. Bathsheba did tell David (v.15-21).
    3. Nathan came in and supported Bathsheba’s claim (v.22-27).
    4. David renewed his promise to Bathsheba (v.28-31).
  3. Solomon is crowned king.
    1. Solomon was quickly crowned king and sat on David’s throne (v.32-40).
    2. Adonijah’s party guests heard that David had crowned Solomon king and they fled (v.41-49).
    3. Adonijah feared for his life (v.50-53)
    4. Adonijah’s attempt to sidestep the will of God and make himself king caused him great fear and eventually led to his death. His desire for the praise of men led to his downfall.
      ☆ Many Christians hesitate to fully surrender to the Lord because they think they will miss out on enjoyable things in life. Others fear what God might have for them to do. Many long for the praise of men more than the praise of God. Scores of parents push their children toward financially profitable careers instead of surrendering their children to the Lord and seeking God’s best for them.
      ☆ A wise person once said, “The safest place in all the world is in the centre of God’s will.”

David’s Departure

  1. David called a national assembly (1Ch 28:1-29:20)
    1. David told the people that God had chosen Solomon to be king (1Ch 28:1-9).
    2. He encouraged Solomon to build the temple (1Ch 28:9-21).
    3. David talked about the temple preparations (1Ch 29:1-9)
    4. David made a coronation prayer (1Ch 29:10-20). In his prayer, he gave God the glory for being the true Sovereign of all things (1Ch 29:11-12).
      ☆ One of our greatest needs is to truly see God as He really is and to honour Him as such. If we truly believed what David prayed, and truly believed that we will one day answer to the Almighty God, it would change the way we live.
  2. David crowned Solomon publically (1Ch 29:21-25)
    1. Solomon’s first crowing was private and rushed.
    2. This was a public crowning for everyone to watch (1Ch 29:22).
  3. David died (1Ki 2:1-10)
    1. He gave Solomon some final advice (1Ki 2:1-9). Note the godly challenge he gave in 1Ki 2:3. Do you think that could be said of your life as well? I do!
    2. David, the man after God’s own heart, died (1Ki 2:10). He slept with his fathers. His life of 70 years finally came to an end.

Conclusion

While David was far from perfect, his heart was patterned after God’s heart. He loved the Lord. He worshipped the Lord. He sought to do the Lord’s will. When he failed, and he often did, he always humbly confessed his sins and got right with God.

This evening we have been reminded that we must prepare for death. Whether death is near or far, living to magnify the Lord is the wisest thing we can do. Have you surrendered every area of your life to the Lord? The test of full surrender is “Are you willing to do anything and obedient in everything?” If you fail that test, you are not surrendered as you should be. Take a fresh look at our awesome God!

Song: I Surrender All – 394
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David’s Death
3 January 2016 PM – 1 Kings 1:1-53 – Life of David – Scott Childs