A Father’s Advice to His Son
David knew that his son, Solomon would go to be king and build the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem. He had advice to give his son as he grew into the kingship.
1 Chronicles 28:9-10 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
David’s words of wisdom would come to be a blessing to Solomon in his early kingdom. What advice did a king offer that we can also learn from?
What are our duties toward God? What else could we say is more important than knowing God? If we do not know God then we do not know His wisdom, guidance, or salvation. We shouldn’t get caught up in the tendency of the world to give more attention to things other than God.
Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;
Knowing God is a choice.
Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Matthew 22:37-38 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
Our motivation to serve God is equally as important as observing our duties to Him. God searches the heart and knows our intents. That affects everything we do because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
1 Kings 8:39 … for you alone know the hearts of men
John 2:24-25 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Revelation 2:23 … I am He who searches the minds and hearts.
Heb 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Not only does God know our thoughts, but He also understands our intents. Before our thoughts are formed God knows it. Since our actions are motivated by our thoughts, we must guard our thoughts and push out the things of the world.
There is a promise of blessing associated with Solomon following these words of advice. It’s a promise that is repeated throughout Scripture, not only for Solomon, but for all mankind.
2 Chronicles 15:2 … The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him…
The key is to seek God with all your heart.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Stop looking to yourself for happiness and strength. There are obviously things that we must attend to in this life but they should all be done under the canvas of knowing, serving, and loving God.
James 4:8-10 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
There is also a promise to those who decide not to serve God.
Isaiah 1:28 But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
David set out guidelines for his Son to follow through his life and they are no less important for us today. This advice contains not only admonition to follow God’s will but also the promise of consequences of not following this advice.
1 Chronicles 28:20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
Based on a lesson by Robert Moss
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