How exactly did David die?
According to the record in 1 Kings, David died of natural causes brought on by advanced age. The text suggests a slow decline rather than a sudden illness. He was approximately 70 years old at the time of his passing, having spent forty years on the throne.
What were his physical symptoms?
The Bible provides a rare medical detail regarding David’s final days in 1 Kings 1:1 (KJV):
“Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.”
This indicates a failure of the body’s thermoregulation, a condition where his circulation or metabolism was so weakened that external layers of clothing could not keep him warm.
What were his final instructions?
Before his passing, David gave a two-fold charge to his son Solomon.
- Spiritual: He commanded Solomon to “keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes” (1 Kings 2:3).
- Judicial: He gave specific instructions on how to handle political figures from his reign, such as Joab and Shimei, ensuring the security of Solomon’s new administration.
Where was he buried?
David was buried in the City of David, which refers to the original Jebusite fortress he captured, located on the southeastern hill of Jerusalem.
Is his tomb still there today?
While there is a traditional site on Mount Zion known as “King David’s Tomb,” many archaeologists believe the actual royal necropolis of the House of David is located within the archaeological park of the City of David. The Apostle Peter confirmed the tomb’s existence during his sermon at Pentecost, stating, “his sepulchre is with us unto this day” (Acts 2:29).