"so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'" (verse 4)
Message: Guidance to Solomon
Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah.
What the Lord is Saying: David’s time on earth is coming to an end. He knows this. He has a word for Solomon. David charges Solomon to "be strong...and show yourself a man." The charge is to be strong spiritually, militarily, and morally. It is also a charge to leadership, integrity, and faithfulness to God's law. Simple words but powerful words.
Verse 3
"And keep the charge of the Lord your God" - remain faithful to God and remember the covenant relationship we have with God. "Walk in His ways" - have a close relationship with God. "keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies" - the laws of God are comprehensive. They are specific laws and there are generally laws of God. The idea here is God permeates our entire lives, all the decisions we make and the way in which we live. "as written in the Law of Moses" - scripture stands the test of time; our faith is meant to continue from the past to the present and to the future. There is a continuity to God's message for His people. "that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn" - there is well-being and fulfillment in our life; as we are faithful to God's commands good things happen.
Verse 4
"so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me" - this is the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16); God makes a promise to His people and He fulfills it. But we also in return promise to remain faithful to His promises, walk in his ways, keep his statutes. It is important to keep God's blessings. I have noticed in my frequent conversations with people in Africa, it is very hard for them at times to admit there waywardness to God's ways. They obviously take it very serious to stay close to God's laws and His ways. I wonder if at times, I find it too easy to not stay close to God and His ways. "if your sons are careful of their way..." - that word careful is a word I hold onto and reminds me continually of how important it is to be intentional, not frivolous, but to take God's words to heart in our lives. And this is the person David charges Solomon to be. It is not an option. It is not a choice. It is the way we are supposed to be in life.
It almost seems that David is asking Solomon to be a greater person than he was. David struggled with some passivity at times. He seems to charge Solomon to not be this way. In verse 5, he brings up Joab and the way in which he carried things out - "He also shed the blood of war in peace." Joab's acts were more vengeance rather than justice. Joab however was not a worthless man. At times he encourages faithfulness to God, but our faithfulness is not a part-time thing. But Solomon is to be different. He is to be a man of God all of the time. And Joab also is to receive some sort of justice - "do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace."
David also calls attention to the "sons of Barzillai" for their kindness to David during Absalom's rebellion. And despite Shimei cursing him he swore to not put him to death, God will not act vengeance on him.
Thus, David gives guidance to Solomon. This is a great charge to Solomon. And a great charge to me, to remain faithful and a great charge for me to pass onto my children.
Summary: David concludes his life by giving a great charge to Solomon to follow God, walk in His ways, and carry on the promise God made to David - to remain faithful.
Promise: Seek to obey the Lord in all I do.
Prayer: Lord, I have messed up many times in my life, but I pray that I can go forward and be the best person possible for you. I want to stay faithful to your promises and help those that are in need. I pray also for my children and those that come after me. I pray for Derek Lord that he lives a life pleasing to You. He has a good heart. Help him to shine. Thank you for Tyson's great love and his tenderness for others and faithfulness. You have made all my children to be great friends. Thank you for Megan's hard work and her sacrificial ways to her family. She works hard for you. My wife models this well for them and yet has a joy and love for life that I admire and am so thankful to have near me. Lord, protect people and protect those you place in my path.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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