Question:  Dear Greg,

1.      How long was King David in exile?

2.      What is the time span from the beginning of Psalms to the end of Psalms?

3.      Regarding Isaiah 65:20 (English Version/Good New Bible)—the last sentence in this verse.  What does this verse mean?

            Thank you.

            Debbie

Answer:  Dear Debbie,

1.      No specific time is given for David’s exile.  Saul reigned 40 years (Acts 13:21).  David first met Saul early in Saul’s reign, but it appears that some years passed before David saw Saul again, as Saul did not recognize him (1 Samuel 17:55-58).  It was at this time that David killed Goliath, became a hero, and eventually caused Saul to try to kill him.  David then had to flee as a fugitive (1 Samuel 18-20).

2.      No time span is generally given for Psalms.  They are usually considered to be written during the time of principal authors David and Saul, but apparently they are not the only authors.

3.      Isaiah 65:20.  Very difficult to take this passage literally.  The passage from verses 17-25 about the new heavens and earth seem better understood if seen as metaphorical.  We have to be careful in pressing the details of this idyllic picture (and elsewhere in Isaiah, such as 11:6-9) because this would seem to be poetry, using figurative language.  Isaiah 65:20 simply seems to be saying that during the kingdom age humans will once again (to Isaiah’s listeners the reality of biblical men and women living hundreds of years was closer/more meaningful than it is to us) live a long, rich, full life.  We should be careful about exact details, but instead accept the depth of meaning that is being conveyed—a time far beyond anything we could imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).  Therefore, the statement that dying before the age of 100 would be considered a sign of divine punishment must be considered an idiom, to reinforce that long life will await those in the new heavens and new earth—eternity in fact!

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht