So finally we reach the end of David’s life. Has he had as profound an impact on Israel as Moses did? If Moses began their life as a nation, David completed it. He fulfilled the promise that they would be at peace, dwelling in the whole land in security. At the end of his reign, Israel’s enemies are cowed, the land is prosperous and peaceful, and plans are afoot for a new age of worship to begin. Nice one, David.
David’s prayer
1 Chronicles 29:14-19
His prayer for the king
Psalm 72
Solomon enthroned
1 Chronicles 29:20-22
David’s last words
2 Samuel 23:1-78, 1 Kings 2:1-9
His death
1 Kings 2:10, 1 Chronicles 29:28-30
Unclassified Psalms of David
Psalm 37, 138
David settles his scores - instructing Solomon to deal with Joab, who took matters into his own hands a few times too often for David’s liking, and Shimei, who cursed David. But Barzillai, who stood by him during Absalom’s rebellion, David wants him treated well.
Psalm 72 is a prayer for his son, that he may be even greater than David was. David’s ambition isn’t over - at the end of his life he is not sitting back, but looking ahead to even greater things to come. For me then, the words of Psalm 138 are a fitting conclusion to David’s thoughts: “The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures for ever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”
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