1Ch 29:26 | KingComments | STEP | The chronicler concludes his description of David’s life with the words: “Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel” ( ). This review of David’s life and also the description of his death are consistent with the purpose of the books of the Chronicles, which describe history as it proceeds according to God’s purposes. David’s failure at the end of his life is also ignored here. The greatest possible fullness of life lies behind him and we see a son succeeding him. This wonderful way of saying goodbye to life is rare in the Old Testament. It is remarkable that the mention “David the son of Jesse” appears both here and at the beginning of the description of David’s reign ( ). The description of David’s life seems to have been wrapped up by these two mentions. He reigned a total of forty years ( ), just like Saul. Solomon will also reign for forty years. The number forty is the number of trial. Saul, David, and Solomon were given the same period of trial, regardless of their character. Everything in David’s life and death speaks of God’s “faithful mercies shown to David” ( ). They are not limited to his life and death. Paul quotes this verse to show that these proofs of grace are also seen in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead ( ). In the true Son of David and His reign all that is shown to David finds its fulfillment. David is waiting for that fulfillment, as well as all who have died in faith in God’s promises. David dies “in a ripe old age, full of days, riches and honor” ( ). This means that by all that God has given to Solomon ( ) and that which he himself has given to God’s house, he has not become less and poorer. If we look at the end of David, it is hard to say what shines brighter here: the setting sun or the rising sun. To conclude the description of David’s life, the author of the books of the Chronicles indicates from which sources he drew, led by God’s Spirit ( ). He refers to three prophets who wrote down David’s life: the seer Samuel, the prophet Nathan and the seer Gad. In their histories they have written about David’s kingdom and power, and about the events of him, of Israel, and of all the kingdoms of the lands ( ). The mentioned writings ( ) have not been preserved. Samuel anointed David as king ( ). Nathan speaks to David on behalf of God about the building of the temple ( ; ) and rebukes David for his sin with Bathsheba ( ). Gad rebukes David for the census ( ; ). When we think of “the circumstances which came on him” and “on Israel” ( ), we can think of persecution, of trial, of danger of death, of sorrow and of joy. In relation to all these circumstances David says: “My times are in Your hand” ( ; cf. ). “All the kingdoms of the lands” (cf. ) are the kingdoms with which the Israelites came into contact at the time of David. With the death of David the first book of the Chronicles ends. In this Bible book almost all attention is focused on King David. In contrast to the description in 2 Samuel, the sins of this king are hardly mentioned here. David is here rather the prince who is God-fearing and is therefore richly blessed. The blessing consists of numerous military victories, which make him the ruler of an immense realm and give him fabulous riches. He does not use these blessings for his own benefit, but makes them available for what he considers the highest goal for Israel: the building of the temple. He is not allowed to do this work himself, but he does do everything he can to prepare it. He gives a large part of his wealth, motivates the people to voluntarily give up a part of their abundance, and introduces Solomon, the future temple-builder, to the people. The first book of the Chronicles presents David as the one who focuses on the building of the temple and thus on the honor of God. In this sense he is the ideal prince, who does not seek his own honor, but the honor of God. In the period after the exile – the time in which the books of the Chronicles were written – this description of David must have been strongly appealing. In that period there is attention for the improvement of the temple service and for a stronger focus on the LORD. Also, the example of the wealthy King David making his riches available for the glory of God will have stimulated the desire for a new David. A few centuries later the Lord Jesus comes as a Servant, but in the future He will come as a Prince. He is focused on God like no other.

‏ 1 Chronicles 29:26

David Dies

The chronicler concludes his description of David’s life with the words: “Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel” (1Chr 29:26). This review of David’s life and also the description of his death are consistent with the purpose of the books of the Chronicles, which describe history as it proceeds according to God’s purposes. David’s failure at the end of his life is also ignored here. The greatest possible fullness of life lies behind him and we see a son succeeding him. This wonderful way of saying goodbye to life is rare in the Old Testament.

It is remarkable that the mention “David the son of Jesse” appears both here and at the beginning of the description of David’s reign (1Chr 10:14). The description of David’s life seems to have been wrapped up by these two mentions.

He reigned a total of forty years (1Chr 29:27), just like Saul. Solomon will also reign for forty years. The number forty is the number of trial. Saul, David, and Solomon were given the same period of trial, regardless of their character.

Everything in David’s life and death speaks of God’s “faithful mercies shown to David” (Isa 55:3). They are not limited to his life and death. Paul quotes this verse to show that these proofs of grace are also seen in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead (Acts 13:34). In the true Son of David and His reign all that is shown to David finds its fulfillment. David is waiting for that fulfillment, as well as all who have died in faith in God’s promises.

David dies “in a ripe old age, full of days, riches and honor” (1Chr 29:28). This means that by all that God has given to Solomon (1Chr 29:25) and that which he himself has given to God’s house, he has not become less and poorer. If we look at the end of David, it is hard to say what shines brighter here: the setting sun or the rising sun.

To conclude the description of David’s life, the author of the books of the Chronicles indicates from which sources he drew, led by God’s Spirit (1Chr 29:29). He refers to three prophets who wrote down David’s life: the seer Samuel, the prophet Nathan and the seer Gad. In their histories they have written about David’s kingdom and power, and about the events of him, of Israel, and of all the kingdoms of the lands (1Chr 29:30).

The mentioned writings (1Chr 29:29) have not been preserved. Samuel anointed David as king (1Sam 16:13). Nathan speaks to David on behalf of God about the building of the temple (1Chr 17:1-15; 2Sam 7:1-17) and rebukes David for his sin with Bathsheba (2Sam 12:1-12). Gad rebukes David for the census (2Sam 24:10-14; 1Chr 21:9-13).

When we think of “the circumstances which came on him” and “on Israel” (1Chr 29:30), we can think of persecution, of trial, of danger of death, of sorrow and of joy. In relation to all these circumstances David says: “My times are in Your hand” (Psa 31:15a; cf. Job 24:1). “All the kingdoms of the lands” (cf. 2Chr 12:8 ; 2Chr 17:10 ; 2Chr 20:29) are the kingdoms with which the Israelites came into contact at the time of David.

With the death of David the first book of the Chronicles ends. In this Bible book almost all attention is focused on King David. In contrast to the description in 2 Samuel, the sins of this king are hardly mentioned here. David is here rather the prince who is God-fearing and is therefore richly blessed. The blessing consists of numerous military victories, which make him the ruler of an immense realm and give him fabulous riches.

He does not use these blessings for his own benefit, but makes them available for what he considers the highest goal for Israel: the building of the temple. He is not allowed to do this work himself, but he does do everything he can to prepare it. He gives a large part of his wealth, motivates the people to voluntarily give up a part of their abundance, and introduces Solomon, the future temple-builder, to the people.

The first book of the Chronicles presents David as the one who focuses on the building of the temple and thus on the honor of God. In this sense he is the ideal prince, who does not seek his own honor, but the honor of God. In the period after the exile – the time in which the books of the Chronicles were written – this description of David must have been strongly appealing. In that period there is attention for the improvement of the temple service and for a stronger focus on the LORD.

Also, the example of the wealthy King David making his riches available for the glory of God will have stimulated the desire for a new David. A few centuries later the Lord Jesus comes as a Servant, but in the future He will come as a Prince. He is focused on God like no other.