The Last Words of a Dying King.
King David is about to die, so he calls his son Solomon, the newly appointed king, to encourage and guide him. We find this account in 1 Kings 2:1-10
This is what David says as his parting words and a few takeaways.
Be Strong - Vs. 2 - be thou strong therefore,
Solomon is now the king of Israel. This job will require much strength. Issues will arise that, as king, Solomon will have to take full responsibility for.
David knows well what being a king is like and the mental, physical, and spiritual strength that must be present for any king to succeed.
As Christians, we must be strong. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
The Devil attacks those that are weak. He is on the prowl looking to devour Christians, and weak Christians are ones he will target.
We can be strong, not in our might, but in the power of Jesus.
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
We find strength when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ and rely on Him.
2. Be Manly - Vs. 2 - shew thyself a man;
Weakness was not going to do any favors for Solomon. He had to “buck up” and be a man. David tells him “be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;”
Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where masculinity is under attack. Men are trying to become women, and women are trying to become men. This ought not be!
Biblical masculinity is both right and necessary. The reason we have so much murder, theft, alcohol and drug abuse, immorality, and many more issues in our world is because men have don’t act like men.
Godly men are good fathers. Godly men are good husbands. Godly men love. Godly men provide. Godly men are strong (not just physically, but mentally and spiritually).
The downfall of our nation can be attributed to weak men.
David knew that a weak man would bring the downfall of Israel. And he was right.
What our country needs, what our world needs, is strong men who will love their wives, care for their children, provide for their families, stand up for what is right, and follow Jesus.
3. Be Godly - Vs. 3 - And keep the charge of the LORD thy God,
The most important thing David encourages Solomon to do is to be Godly.
“And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies”
The Bible teaches us how to follow God.
Mark 12:29-31 - “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
The way we follow God is by loving Him and loving others.
We love God by:
Getting to know Him and having a relationship with Him through prayer and reading the Bible
Submitting to His will and desires
Worshipping Him
Praising Him
Being a part of His body - the church
We love others by treating them how we would want to be treated.
