As I was
reading and reflecting on the issues of ageing today, I decided to take a look
at some historical figures in the scripture and decided to share a short review
of King David’s life.
The
paragraph of the book of 1st king vividly highlights that King
David, God’s chosen man, was not spared of issues related to ageing. In the
paragraph it says,
1 When King David
was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. 2 So his attendants said to him, “Let us look
for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside
him so that our lord the king may keep warm.”
Immediately we can see that the great King
David, God’s chosen king was not spared from the trials, tribulations and
realities of ageing.
His great wealth and castle cannot prevent him
from feeling cold. All the amenities in the castle and all the blankets cannot
keep him warm. Physically, it is true that older people find it hard to keep
their temperature at 37 degrees Celsius. He was subjected to the deterioration of
his once mighty warrior physique.
Although he had queens, concubines and
children, none of them were there for him. One of his sons was busy trying to
take over the throne by planning his own ascension together with David’s general.
Prophet Nathan was busy making sure Solomon becomes the king, reminding
Bathsheba about David’s promise to make Solomon king.
Everyone was busy with their own agendas and plans,
so why worry about an old, weak king. Why should they worry about King David’s
need for heat and warmth?
The concubines and queens will be too old to
care for David and probably they are either busy shopping, having dementia or
dead.
So, who has the most reasons to keep the King
alive? Of course, the attendants, their livelihood depended on the welfare of
the king and his family’s welfare.
David’s problem was real then as it is real
now. children busy with their career, building their own wealth, family and ‘kingdom’.
Nothing wrong with that because that’s what most parents hope to see their
children grow to be. Giving the best education, telling them to earn foreign
currencies, no need to worry about their father and mother.
This led to an industry managed by outsiders,
other people and professionals. I shall not delve into this, but I must point
out that what happened to King David can happen to you and I too. And most likely
will. What will you do to face that day?
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