The
book of 1 Kings opens with David advanced in years and not at the peak of
health. The once-great fighter was no longer the person that he was. To keep
him warm they put additional clothes on him. His royal servants even suggested
that a nurse be sought to keep him warm. And they found a Shunamite beauty,
Abishag by name, to nurse him. Her role included lying with him to keep him
warm. Verse 4 specifically said that David did not have intimate relations with
her. If such a beautiful girl, lying in his bosom could not stir his desire for
intimacy, it showed that David’s time was almost up. So the scene was reset to
have someone replace him on the throne.
In terms of health at
old age, David was a marked contrast from Moses. In our reflection in the book
of Deuteronomy, we learned that Moses at age 120 was still strong and robust
and his eyesight was still keen and sharp. But here we are given of a much-weakened
David. He could not withstand the cold despite having added clothes, and
Abishag had to be sought to nurse and keep him warm.
What could be the reason for the
difference? We know that they both had led very different lifestyles. In 2
Samuel, we saw how distracted David was with the tryst he had with Bathsheba.
We saw how he needed to connive and scheme to cover up his sin after that.
Though God had forgiven him, he still had to suffer the consequences of his
sin. Moses on the other hand was more focused on serving God. He was not as
distracted as David. In his life, we can only trace one occasion that he
disobeyed God, by striking the rock twice at the water of Meribah.
Whether we like it or not, like David,
our bodies will decline with age. This has been men’s experience since the fall
of Adam. The fact that our body will decline as we age is a clear call for us
to heed the counsel of Ecclesiastes 12:1. We are to “Remember also your Creator in the days of your
youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you
will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them….’” As
we pray, let us borrow some words from a hymn by Thomas Hill.
Lord, in the
fullness of my might, I would for Thee be strong;
While runneth
o’er each dear delight, to Thee should soar my song.
I would not give the world my heart, and then profess Thy love;
I would not
feel my strength depart, and then Thy service prove.
I would not
with swift-winged zeal, on the world’s errand run;
And labor up
the heavenly him, with weary feet and slow.
O, not for
Thee my weak desires, my poorer basal part!
O, not for Thee
my fading fire, the ashes of my heart!
Accept me in
my golden years, in my dear joy have part!
For Thee the
glory of my prime, the fullness of my heart!
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