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Day 360

Psalm 89:45a "The days of his youth You have shortened..."

Day 360 – Psalm 89

“The days of his youth You have shortened…” Psalm 89:45a

LONG LIVE THE KING!

It was a common courtesy to greet a ruler with “Long live the King!” Even if the king is old and dying, the standard greeting was to wish the king long life. The following texts serve as examples.

Long live King Adonijah! 1 Kings 1:25f

Long live King Solomon! 1 Kings 1:34b

WHERE THERE IS NO LENGTH OF LIFE

Ethan recognized that only God can grant length of life. The power to live or die does not lie with any human being, no matter how powerful he may be.

“The days of his youth You have shortened;
You have covered him with shame.”
Psalm 89:45

1. “The days of his youth You have shortened”

a) King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1)
i) He ascended the throne at 8.
ii) He ruled for 31 years.
iii) He died at 39 years old.
b) King Jehoahaz (2 Chronicles 36:1-2, 4)
i) He ruled for only 3 months.
ii) He was deposed by Egypt when he was only 23 years old.
iii) He was led captive to Egypt.
c) King Jehoiakim (2 Chronicles 36:3-8)
i) He replaced his brother on the throne.
ii) He was 25 years old when he began to rule the land.
iii) He ruled for only 11 years.
iv) Judah was then conquered by Babylon.

2. “You have covered him with shame”

There was great shame felt by all, royalty and the nation at large. The kingdom was in shambles and the royal family was all but destroyed!