A Legacy of Worship and Transition

1 Chronicles 29:20-30

20 Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless the Lord your God.” And all the assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the Lord and to the king. 21 And they offered sacrifices to the Lord, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the Lord, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 And they ate and drank before the Lord on that day with great gladness.

Solomon Anointed King

And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and they anointed him as prince for the Lord, and Zadok as priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king in place of David his father. And he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 25 And the Lord made Solomon very great in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

The Death of David

26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 28 Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place. 29 Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer, and in the Chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the Chronicles of Gad the seer,30 with accounts of all his rule and his might and of the circumstances that came upon him and upon Israel and upon all the kingdoms of the countries.

Footnotes

1. 1 Chronicles 29:15 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew hope, or prospect

   
   

Summary

As 1 Chronicles comes to a close, we see the gracious ending to King David’s reign. David addresses the assembly to bless God. Then acts of worship and homage ensue: bowing of heads, an assortment of offerings, and feasting before the Lord. Then Solomon is anointed once again as the next king and it is recorded that the people of Israel pledge allegiance to him and the Lord prospered Solomon. We are reminded at the close of this chapter that King David reigned for 40 years.

Reflections

A few reflections come to mind as the account of the last days of David are recorded in 1 Chronicles. The seemingly inauspicious end to King David’s reign in light of the “vain” hope, plan and preparation for the temple. We see preparation and planning by King David but it was not be in the sight of God. God desired for King Solomon to establish the temple. However, we do not see bitterness or contempt but a gracious passing of the torch unto his son, Solomon. We see obedience to the will of God and care for the next generation. All that David had prepared for the temple was handed off to Solomon. Oftentimes, we hope to leave a lasting legacy, a name for ourselves but King David understands timing and obedience to God’s heart. He lays down his crown so that those next in line can flourish and grow. It is with great needed discernment that we need to understand when to not care so much that our fingerprints are on everything and truly let go. Ultimately, King David, though anointed as king, understood that there is one true King, Yahweh, and to Him we ought to let go and submit.

Application

Let us consider the things or people perhaps on which our grip is too tight. Can we truly say that if I let this thing or that person go, I will not be in fear, anger or resentment? Can I give over to  God full control of not a singular part or aspect of my life but my everything? The very things/people that pop into your heart as you just read may be precisely the things/people you need to let go. Remind yourself that you are not the king; lay your heart open before the Lord so that He can reign in your life.

Prayer

Living God, 

Remind us that your ways are greater than our ways. Just as King David planned for your temple, you saw it differently and he accepted your will with gladness. Force our hands open, loosen our grip on the transient things of this world that we may take hold of the one Who is eternal.

In Jesus' name we pray,

AMEN.

Blessings,

Pastor Daniel Song