With this last section we come to the conclusion of David’s reign and life. In the previous section his successor as king was enthroned and anointed, and it was therefore time to conclude the David narrative.

29:26–30   The narrative about David’s reign started in 1 Chronicles 10:14 with the death of Saul. There David was called “son of Jesse.” The Chronicler uses that title here again to complete the circle at the end of David’s reign. The basic information about his reign (length, capital cities) is provided in 29:27, after which we come to David’s final moment: he died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. This comment paints a considerably different picture from the one in 1 Kings 1–2. There David is portrayed as frail and feeble, not completely in command of …