David's time was running out, because, as God said through Moses, the limit of life for man was 70 to 80 years, and anything beyond that would be tiresome: The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away (Psalm 90.10). In those days, there were no people who lived beyond that, but today we have a few centenarians again.

        Science is engaged in research to improve people's health, and some are able to extend their years on earth. However, it's too early to credit this to the work of those selfless people who go to great lengths to extend life. On the one hand, this is good, and we should take advantage of the “stretching” of longevity to lead more people to eternal salvation. Those who don't believe in eternity will have the opportunity to meditate on what God says about it.

        According to scholars, in Jesus' day, someone who was 40 years old was considered elderly, because life expectancy was up to 38 years, more or less. Now, if we compare this lifespan with those born in the days after creation, when some lived for almost a thousand years, like Methuselah, who died at the age of 969 (Genesis 5.27), they were blessed. Now, even the longevity of the early days is nothing compared to the eternal life to be enjoyed by us in the Kingdom of God, where we will no longer be tormented by the devil!

        David lived for the sake of the kingdom of Israel, in order to show the world that faith in the Lord is important, and through this, the elders of Joshua's day had their days increased (Judges 2.7). They saw that the people were not prepared to live alone because, with the departure of their leader and captain, they lacked the maturity and understanding to follow God's will. In this way, they could lose the next battles, so they prayed!

        The king of Israel didn't make an assessment of how he felt when his strength diminished, nor did he complain about not being able to go in and out as before, but he prayed to God on behalf of his replacement in charge of the country. So he was shown Solomon, his son. David met with the leaders of the government and told them of God's choice for the successor to the throne. The decision having been accepted by all, Solomon began to reign.

        David grew old, but he didn't lose his mind, nor did he do shameful things to himself or his family. He was full of days and experiences. Solomon would learn to fear the Lord by seeing his father do the right thing, as well as continuing to grow before God and man. David made his son king over Israel, and that was the certainty that the country would have peace and prosperity, because there was nothing to stop him from giving himself to the Lord, as David did.

        We too are getting older, and soon we will see our spiritual children leading the work and carrying out God's will. The right choice needs to come from the Almighty; if it comes from man, the fruits will easily show the difference. Those who replace us will have a lot of work ahead of them, because the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be diminished. We must be one with the Lord!

        In Christ, with love,

        R. R. Soares