“Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” I Kings 2:3b

 

As a father, what’s the most important advice you could give your son?

Imagine you are the king passing advice to your son, who will become the next king. What advice might you give then?

We are privileged to be privy to the advice King David gave his son, soon-to-be-king, Solomon.

“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” (King David) he said, “So be strong, act like a man and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as well as the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” I Kings 2:2-3 NIV

Of all the tricks of the trade of trade David could have imparted.  Of all the political how-to’s of dealing with foreign nations, unhappy armies, and jealous wives; David instructed his son in what he considered the single key to multiple areas of success: “Be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires.”

Be Strong

Physical strength was revered in King David’s culture just as it is today worldwide.  A King needed strength to lead his army into war every spring. A King needed strength to manage all the details of caring for his country.  He needed mental strength for clarity and presence of mind when facing important decisions. And, his people wanted a King they could admire as a strong man, fit to do whatever it took to rule the nation and win the hearts of the people.

He also needed spiritual strength. He needed to serve and honor God personally to set the example of His Kingdom serving and honoring God corporately. He needed to know God’s laws and what God commanded and required of His people.  And, he needed to put that knowledge into daily practice.

King David and his son Solomon would have known the command “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

In David’s advice to his son, the King who would be the wisest King ever “be strong,” meant a fortified mental attitude fueled by faith that God was always at his side in addition to an admirable physical strength he already possessed.

Even centuries ago, the physical was acknowledged, but life and living were realized to not end there.  To navigate daily life, King Solomon would also need a rock-solid faith.

Reflections:

What strengths do I possess?

What strengths do I need to develop in order to honor God with my daily deeds?

How might I exercise those qualities so that I might strengthen them?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the recording on the wisdom David was passing down to his son.  Might I read Your word and search for Your wisdom to apply in my daily life. Amen.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, July 13, for Part II of this post.