"… As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress."
1 Kings 1:29
As the book of 1 Kings opens, we find King David as an old man. His adventurous life is coming to an end, and it is time to select the next King for Israel. In the first ten verses, we note David’s frailty, and even his failure as a father to bring up his son Absalom in a godly way. In verses 11-27, Bathsheba, his wife, and the faithful prophet Nathan are with David by his bedside. He states that Solomon is to be the next rightful king, and he promises that he will be the King of Israel, beginning that very day. From verses 28 to the end of the chapter, Solomon is, in fact, anointed the King of Israel, and we see some early intrigue as he begins to rule as her King. Out of everything that is said in this chapter, there is one line that David says that catches my attention most, “… As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress.” Such important words. We need to pause a moment and think about them.
“. . . As the LORD liveth.”
There was no doubt in David’s mind as to whether his God was living or not. He had seen Him work too many times in his life to even entertain this question. In this brief statement, he wants Bathsheba and Nathan to know for sure that his promise that Solomon will be the next King is settled.
These words were a common form of oath for the Israelites.
Gideon to Zebah and Zalmunna,
“And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you” (Judges 8:19).
Saul’s foolish oath to God and the people of Israel,
“For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan, my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him” (1 Samuel 14:39).
What is tremendous about the way David makes a promise is that it shows that he brings the Lord into every part of his life. Note that after David makes the statement “as the LORD liveth,” he gives more personal information about his relationship with God. These words were a familiar theme in David’s life. He wanted all to know of his trust in his God.
“And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity” (2 Samuel 4:9).
“That hath redeemed my soul out of all distress.”
What a testimony that David had for his God. I suppose no one suffered as much physical harm throughout his life as David did in his, except perhaps, the apostle Paul. Interestingly, both men have extremely high regard for the name and testimony of their God. If you were to ask either man how he escaped out of the excess of dangers they faced, both would say, “It was my God who rescued me.” In their times of need, both men express God’s goodness.
Believers, today, we probably will not be facing a giant, with only a slingshot in our hands to defend ourselves. Still, whatever we face, we know our God is there, and He will help us.