Never Slumbers

David Rice Atchison is often referred to as the “President for a Day.” So what’s his story? James K. Polk’s term as the 11th President of the United States ended on March 3, 1849, a Saturday. President-elect Zachary Taylor chose not to take the oath of office on Sunday, March 4, due to his religious observances, delaying his inauguration until Monday, March 5.

This left a unique situation in which the USA was technically without a president for a day. According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1792, the Senate’s president pro tempore was next in line if both the presidency and vice-presidency were vacant. At the time, this position was held by Senator David Rice Atchison of Missouri.

Although Atchison’s term as president pro tempore officially ended on March 3, he often joked that he was the acting president for March 4, 1849. In reality, there was no formal recognition for this brief period, and he never took the oath of office or performed any presidential duties.

Atchison himself quipped about the episode, saying he spent that Sunday resting after a strenuous legislative session, leading to the myth that he “slept through his presidency.” This story, while amusing, is not recorded as a legitimate presidency. It’s simply an interesting quirk in U.S. presidential history.

The Bible tells us we can trust on help coming from God, who made heaven and earth. David writes, “He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3, 4). Jesus demonstrated that same tenacity in the garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion. Weighed down with the sins of the world, Christ asked His disciples to pray for Him, but they fell asleep.

We can trust our Lord to stay awake and watch over us. God doesn’t fall asleep on us, not even for a single minute.

Key Bible Texts

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24 KJV)