1 Reis 1

1 Reis 1

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission 1 Kings Chart from Charles Swindoll TIMELINE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES 1107 1011 971 931 853 722 586 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1 Kings 2 Kings 31 1-4 5-10 11-20 21-24 1-11 12-22 1-17 18-25 1 Chronicles 10 1Chr 11-19 1Chr 20-29 2Chronicles 1-9 2Chronicles 10-20 2Chronicles 21-36 Legend: B.C. dates at top of timeline are approximate. Note that 931BC marks the division of the Kingdom into Southern Tribes (Judah and Benjamin) and Ten Northern Tribes. To avoid confusion be aware that after the division of the Kingdom in 931BC, the Southern Kingdom is most often designated in Scripture as "Judah" and the Northern Kingdom as "Israel." Finally, note that 1Chronicles 1-9 is not identified on the timeline because these chapters are records of genealogy. THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL Comparison of 1 Samuel thru 2 Chronicles 1 Kings 1 Ki 1:1 Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm. old: 2Sa 5:4 1Ch 23:1 29:27,28 Ps 90:10 advanced in age: Heb. and entered into days, Ge 18:11 24:1 Jos 23:1-2 Lu 1:7 DAVID - OLD & COLD Other appropriate titles might be "The Sunset of a King" "A Leader's Final Days" "The Fragility of Greatness" "Preparing for Succession" "The Transfer of Power Begins" Gary Inrig - As the Book of 1 Kings begins, we are at a critical moment in the history of the united monarchy. David is the nation’s second king, and there had never been a smooth transition of power from one generation to another. Israel’s external enemies had been brought under control by the military genius of David. But two dangers remained. One was internal division over David’s successor. Who would take his place? The other was more subtle but far more significant. What would happen in the heart of the king who followed David? That is why the central passage in the first two chapters of 1 Kings also is the key to the future of the nation. (See Holman Old Testament Commentary - 1 & 2 Kings) Now King David was old, advanced (KJV - Stricken - "run down") in age - The victories over the lion, bear, giants, and armies are all memories now. The once robust warrior is feeble and weak. David ruled as king for forty years (1011–971 B.C.). For the first years he was king over Judah alone, reigning from Hebron. Then, from 1004, he ruled over the united nation from Jerusalem. David was probably about 69 or 70 yo. He was thirty years old when he began to reign, reigned forty, and died in his seventieth year; and the transactions mentioned here supposedly transpired about a year before his death. Sixty-nine was not an advanced age (see Moses' words on age Ps 90:10+ even though he lived to 120 years), but he had been exhausted by various fights (wars), fatigues and family afflictions, so that he was in effect older in constitution than in years. This verse sets the stage for the transition of leadership in Israel as King David approaches the end of his life. It highlights his frailty and the urgency of determining his successor. Despite his former strength and vitality, David is now physically weak, symbolizing the inevitable decline of human power and the necessity of divine guidance in leadership transitions. and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm - Hey, I understand this as I am 78 and get cold when no one else feels cold (and on top of that I get bad Raynaud's phenomenon and cannot even type - this is what my fingers look like!) But praise God for the invention of heating blankets so I do not have to seek a young virgin to stay warm (my wife would not approve)! What is crazy about David's personal problem is the fact that it would soon lead to national problems and ultimately to the death of one of his very own sons (stay tuned as the drama unfolds in 1 Kings 1-2).