1 Kings 2:1-4 - As
the time of King David's death approached, he gave this charge to his son
Solomon: "I am going where everyone
on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the LORD your God
and follow all his ways. Keep each of the laws, commands, regulations, and
stipulations written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all
you do and wherever you go. If you do
this, then the LORD will keep the promise he made to me: 'If your descendants
live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one
of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.
David’s was given enough of a warning of his death…to know
that it was time to call his son to his side and charge him with the most important
part of his job as king. He told him to be courageous…and observe all the
commands of Yahweh the Lord…so the promise God made to David could be carried
out in the sons to be born into David’s great family.
It must have given David great hope to share these words with
his son Solomon. It is significant that
David chose to emphasize the positive relationship he should have with his
maker….for David knew that a strong relationship with the Lord would give
Solomon the strength and power to be a great king. He wanted his son to
remember that God should always be at the center of his life….and should always
be involved in every decision he made.
If you read the rest of the chapter…you will note that David’s
advice to his son included his personal…. work…. and church life. After David made sure Solomon knew that God
must be first in his life…he mentioned some relationships that would need to be
dealt with. There was much house cleaning
to do in the Palace….some that needed purging…and some that just needed to be
treated kindly as long as God granted them life.
Solomon wasted no time using the wisdom of his father to
make decisions. He had the ones who might
threaten the throne dealt with as his father had told him…and even recognized
the ploy of his brother Adonijah….when he asked to take Abishag as a wife. He
knew if he allowed his brother to take the last mistress David had as a wife…the
nation would see it as a claim to the throne.
My lesson in all this is simple… I need to work on keeping God
the center of my life…just as David told his son. I admit that most days the Ferris
Wheel of life gets a little off center from God. I let the friends that give me the most
attention get my attention…and that does not always glorify God. If I expect God to keep that wonderful promise
he made to me in Jeremiah 29:11…I must constantly evaluate my interactions with
others and concentrate on the ones that help me build my relationship with God
stronger….deeper…..and more meaningful….so I can keep that wheel moving in a
perfectly balanced way…and be in the center of God’s will for me. That might
even mean that I need to quit riding in the cars on the edge with my friends… sometimes...and move to the center of the
wheel…and learn to trust God for all I need.
Father…I am amazed at how every story I read in your word...chapter
by chapter…. seems to teach me something new about how to live a life that honors
and praises who you are. Thank you for
David…and letting the great words he shared with Solomon at his death…be
recorded so I could benefit from them too. Help me to surrender more to your
purpose in my life…and not be distracted so much by the fun satan tricks me
with along the way. Show me how to keep you the center of my life…so I can be
strong and courageous like Solomon. Help
me to keep all your commandments…so you can fulfill the promise you made to me
in Jeremiah 29:11…and reveal the plans you have for me…to bring about good in
my life…and give me a future that allows me hope. Amen.
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