David was probably now approaching his 68th or 69th year having reigned 38 or 39 years. He would live but a short time longer, but he evidently had not formally announced his intention to make Solomon the next king, perhaps because he did not wish to offend his older sons (see 1 Kings 1:6) or he feared that Solomon was still too young at about age 20 (1 Chronicles 22:5; 29:1). Nevertheless, he needed to do something because he was obviously growing older.
PHYSICAL DECLINE. David was not able to keep warm, so a beautiful girl from Shunem by the name of Abishag was chosen to keep him warm. She attended David in his private quarters not only during the night, but also during the day for it is there that Bathsheba and Nathan went to see David when Adonijah proclaimed himself king (1 Kings 1:15). David apparently was not able to go with those who anointed Solomon the first time (1 Kings 1:33 ff.), and when Solomon actually took the throne, David worshiped on his bed (1 Kings 1:47). Even in 1 Chronicles, which details a national assembly David called to anoint Solomon a second time, David rose to his feet only once (1 Chronicles 28:2), and only once addressed the assembled leaders of Israel (1 Chronicles 29:10).
NO MENTAL DECLINE. David still acted promptly and decisively when he needed to, but most of the extensive plans for the temple and the organization of the kingdom recorded in 1 Chronicles had probably been done in preceding years. They were merely handed over to Solomon formally at the national assembly. Certainly David had started dedicating treasures midway through his reign when he was defeating the surrounding nations (2 Samuel 8:11-12). Nevertheless, David apparently did not experience serious mental decline late in life.
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
-- Psalm 90:10 NIV
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