I Kings 1

"As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress ..." (v29). These words recall the young David who fought Goliath, fled from King Saul, and sang psalms of devotion to God. Now King David was very old and was losing control of his kingdom. He had not named an heir, so his sons competed for the throne. Bathsheba and Nathan both "bowed and prostrated" themselves (v16) in his presence, reflecting the settled pomp and grandeur of Jerusalem.

But God was still the same. Kings rise and fall, individuals obey or disobey, but He keeps fulfilling His loving purposes.