1 Chronicles 29:26-30

27. THE CLOSE OF DAVID'S REIGN (1 Chronicles 29:26-30)

TEXT

1 Chronicles 29:26. Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27. And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 28. And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. 29. Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer, 30. with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 29:26-27. David was king of the land of Israel for forty years; seven of them during his reign in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 28. He died at an old age, wealthy and honored; and his son Solomon reigned in his place. 29. Detailed biographies of King David have been written in the history of Samuel the prophet, the history written by Nathan the prophet, and in the history written by the prophet Gad. 30. These accounts tell of his reign and of his might and all that happened to him and to Israel and to the kings of the nearby nations.

COMMENTARY

The concluding words in I Chronicles refer to the life and death of David. A son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, had ruled as king of Israel. His reign spanned forty years (that perfect Biblical number). And he died, a phrase necessarily a part of every biography since Adam, had to be a part of this history. He was about seventy years of age, a good old age, though not nearly as old as Abraham or Moses when they died. Those who shared in writing the history of David were Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. These men were seers and prophets and were personally acquainted with David. We have the Biblical books of Samuel; but we have no books which are attributed to Nathan and Gad. These men were aware that very important events were transpiring in their day. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit they recorded this sacred history. With regard to David's death, Adam Clarke said that David had attained a good old age; having lived as long as living could be desirable, and having in the main enjoyed good health. Full of days; having lived till he saw everything that he lived for either accomplished or in a state of forwardness. Full of riches; witness the immense sums left for the Temple. Full of honour; having gained more renown than any crowned head ever did, either before his time or sincelaurels that are fresh to the present hour. Adam Clarke quotes Dr. Delaney's evaluation of David's life:
To sum up all, David was a true believer. A zealous adorer of God, teacher of his law and worship, and inspirer of his praise. A glorious example. A perpetual and inexhaustible fountain of true piety. A consummate and unequalled hero; a skillful and fortunate captain; a steady patriot; a wise ruler; a faithful, generous, and magnanimous friend; and what is yet rarer, a no less generous and magnanimous enemy. A true penitent, a divine musician. A sublime poet, and an inspired prophet. By birth, a peasant; by merit, a prince; in youth, a hero; in manhood, a monarch; and in age, a saint.[46]

[46] Clarke, Adam, A Commentary and Critical Notes, Vol. II, p. 634.