Sermon Notes + 1.12.2025
SERMON NOTES
King David Was Old
1 Kings 1
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The books of 1-2 Kings cover the history of Israel from the end of David’s reign to the exile of the southern kingdom, a period of roughly four hundred years. First Kings begins by noting David’s declining years and the palace intrigue that follows as possible successors make their move for the throne. Adonijah, David’s oldest surviving son, exalts himself by recruiting support from David’s inner circle and hosting a banquet for the royal family. Such actions prompt Nathan the prophet, and Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, to bring this to David’s attention in an attempt to secure Solomon as the legitimate successor. Their plan works, as David summons both priest and prophet to anoint Solomon as Israel’s third king. The recognition of Solomon as David’s chosen successor strikes fear into the heart of Adonijah, whose overreach is now exposed and whose life lies in Solomon’s hands. Let us learn from this passage the importance of placing the latter years of our lives into perspective as we seek to be productive with the time that remains.
01. A human king may rule for a time but will eventually run out of steam; let us, therefore, consider our latter years as we live in the time that remains.
02. A human king may choose his successor but cannot reign forever; let us, therefore, yield ourselves to the King of kings who reigns now and forevermore.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. How does 1 Kings 1:1-4 portray a sympathetic portrait of David in his final years? What does the text suggest about his aging body? What attempts are made to help David cope with age in his final years? Have you had to care for an aging parent or other person? What did that experience teach you about living your life now?
2. How does David’s situation in verses 1-4 differ strikingly from his days as a young king? How would you describe the current cultural attitude toward the young vs. the aging? In what ways do people try to recover their youth today? Are such attempts wise, or might they be ways to avoid the reality of aging?
3. What prompts Adonijah to exalt himself as the successor to David (verses 5-6)? In what way does he seek to shore up support for his plan (verses 7-10)? How does the text inform us about the need to raise our children with respect for others and to curb ambitions that can easily run out of control? How might Adonijah have acted differently if David had corrected him as a young man?
4. Are Nathan and Bathsheba’s ambitions for Solomon any different than Adonijah’s ambition for himself? What clues from the text suggest that Solomon was the legitimate successor? What does this text suggest about how our personal ambitions might coincide or contradict God’s plans for our lives and the lives of others?
5. What is Adonijah’s response upon hearing that Solomon will become the next king (verse 50)? What is the purpose of taking hold of the horns of the altar? What is Solomon’s admonition to Adonijah in verse 52? How does this encounter point to our need to recognize the King that God has anointed to reign forever? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? What difference does this make in your life today?
For Further Reading: J. I. Packer, Finishing Our Course with Joy: Guidance from God for Engaging with Our Aging (Crossway, 2014).