“shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). How is it possible to believe God’s promise when we see his chosen king frail and fading away? What would it take for God’s promise to be fulfilled? These are the kind of questions raised by the frail and fading king we see in the opening scene of 1 Kings. Was this God’s king? Had God really promised that his kingdom would be “made sure forever before me” (2 Samuel 7:16)? How can that be? God’s promise to David gives us a clue: “When your days are fulfilled