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1 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. (1 Kings 2:1-4; 10)

Two things are remarkable to me about David’s words to his son Solomon, the new king of Israel. 

One. The level to which David instructs the king to be submissive-- “...observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses.” David knows that there is one who reigns over Israel, who sets the agenda for the Hebrew people, and who has set forth instruction for its flourishing in the Law of Moses, and it’s not him. David knew that Israel was the LORD’s and that his throne was a function of the LORD’s care, protection, and governance. As Christians, there is no position in society or in the church where we are not called to be listeners, learners (disciples), and followers of God’s ways. In all things, we are called to humility, for God is King, and we are not. Others are not ours to deal with as we please but according to God’s instruction.

Two. The fact that David reminds Solomon not of his power but of his fundamental vulnerability before the LORD. After all, this is the same David who wrote Psalm 23 (The LORD is my shepherd…), a psalm of dependence upon the LORD’s leading and an invitation to prosper as a result. Similarly, David says here to Solomon that he will prosper if he walks faithfully before the LORD with his whole being. David also says to Soloman that, as a result of walking faithfully before the LORD, David’s descendants will always be gifted with the privilege to lead God’s people. If Solomon ignores this advice, the implication is that God, the King beyond kings, and the most powerful figure in Israel, will cause Solomon to languish and deteriorate. Solomon is reminded that his position, and his descendants' position, is one of vulnerability before the LORD and is contingent upon his attentiveness to God’s leading.

These two things remind Solomon not of his kingly status but of his humble position before another King.

  1. Take a moment of quiet and reflect on the fact that you’re a dependent creature and humble yourself before him.
  2. Re-position something in your life under God’s reign. Perhaps you feel you’re lord over your finances, or your job, or your employees, or your children, or your everyday habits/hobbies, or your future. Over time you’ve come to view yourself, rather than God, on the throne in that area. Instead, envision God over that thing and how that might transform your actions.