The David in this passage is not the David we want to see. We want to see David as the confident warrior leaning on God for victory. Here, David is older, feebler; however, he is also wiser.

David, in his old age, has become cold. Seeing this, his advisors offer him a beautiful young woman to take care of his needs. Although she was given to him to keep warm, David never was intimate with her. He never took advantage of the situation so he could “keep warm.” Why did David restrain himself?

First, I believe that David, because of his old age, did not have the passions he once had for that sort of thing. Age has a way of calming us down. It also has a way of maturing us.

I believe that is the second reason. He remembers his mistakes from the past and has no desire to repeat. His multiple wives and his affair with Bathsheba are hard lessons that he learned. However, now he is wiser. He knows that a simple fling will cost more than he is willing to spend. I like to think that David spent his last days treating this woman with dignity and respect.

Brad Rushing, Southington, Conn.

Extended Scripture: 1 Kings 1–2