Passing the Wisdom on
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Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; 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, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
Charles Francis Adams, the 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!" The father thought he was wasting his time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time. The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly.
Silas Shotwell, in Homemade, September, 1987.
Solomon was blessed with a mother who loved him. It has been long thought that the virtuous woman described in the 31st proverb was Bathsheba Solomon’s mother. Scripture goes to great length to demonstrate the lessons she taught her boy.
In our passage we find his father handing down a very important turth.
When you and I read this passage we think that this must have been a private gasping for breath last moment. Now I can’t say exactly how much strength David said these words. To help us understand the context just know that this is a short four verse summary of a two chapter speech that is given in front of all the congregation of Israel in I Chronicles 28 & 29.
And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
In this speech David is leaving a will and testament to the people of Israel and leaving instructions for the new King Solomon. At the heart of his instruction is the command to finish the temple of God in Jerusalem. David has begun the work by bringing all the pieces together.
Nearing his death, David gave his son Solomon a command to be strong and act like a man. Not just that, he also told him to walk in obedience to God and keeps his decrees and commands. Likewise, you too can preach this very passage to encourage fathers to obey God and keep his commands.
In these verses, we find King David imparting his final words of wisdom to his son, Solomon. This passage holds a central idea that resonates with fathers of all generations. Join me as we explore the key message of this text and uncover three supporting points that provide valuable guidance for fathers today.
Central Idea: Fathers leave a lasting legacy of wisdom and obedience to God.
I. A lasting legacy teaches personal strength and godly character.
I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
Explanation: In I Kings 2:2, King David urges his son Solomon to "be thou strong therefore, shew thyself a man." This call to strength extends beyond physical prowess; it encompasses qualities of character, integrity, and godliness. David emphasizes the importance of Solomon's obedience to God's commands, instructing him to walk in God's ways, keep His statutes, commandments, rules, and testimonies.
Argument: Fathers have a significant role in shaping the character of their children. By embracing personal strength and godly character, fathers can lead their children towards a life of righteousness, integrity, and faith.
Illustration: Look at the example of Joshua, a father figure in the Bible who displayed unwavering strength and godly character. Through his obedience and dedication to God, Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land. His faithfulness to God's commands left a lasting legacy for future generations.
Application:
Model godly character: Fathers, many times you are the first examples of integrity, honesty, humility, and love. Your children observe and learn from your actions, so let your character reflect the values you want to instill in them.
Cultivate a vibrant relationship with God: Prioritize your personal relationship with God, seeking His guidance, wisdom, and strength. Let your children witness your reliance on God's faithfulness and grace.
II. A lasting legacy teaches obedience to God's Word.
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, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
Explanation: King David emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands in I Kings 2:3. He encourages Solomon to observe and keep God's statutes, commandments, rules, and testimonies. David recognizes that true wisdom comes from aligning one's life with God's Word.
Argument: Fathers play a vital role in teaching their children the significance of obedience to God's Word. By exemplifying and emphasizing obedience, fathers guide their children towards a life of blessings and righteousness.
Illustration: Abraham, known as the father of faith, serves as an inspiring illustration of obedience. When God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham faithfully obeyed without hesitation. Through his obedience, Abraham set an example of trust and devotion to God for generations to come.
Application:
Prioritize studying and applying God's Word: Encourage regular Bible reading, study, and reflection within your family. By immersing yourselves in God's Word, you provide a solid foundation for your children's spiritual growth.
Teach the importance of obedience: Explain to your children that obedience to God's Word brings blessings, protection, and guidance. Help them understand that obedience is an act of love and trust in God's wisdom.
III. A lasting legacy teaches for future generations.
That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
Explanation: In I Kings 2:4, David assures Solomon that if he and his descendants walk before God in faithfulness, then his kingdom will endure forever. David recognizes the impact of his actions on future generations and encourages Solomon to pass on the legacy of faithfulness to God.
Argument: Fathers leave a lasting legacy of faith and devotion to God. By preserving a godly heritage, fathers create a spiritual foundation that will bless their children and future generations.
Illustration: Timothy, a young man in the Bible, received a godly legacy from his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. Their faithfulness and teachings influenced Timothy to become a faithful servant of God, impacting the early Christian church profoundly.
Application:
Live a life worthy of imitation: Let your life be an example for your children and others to follow. Strive to live out your faith in every aspect of life, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love.
Intentionally pass on the faith: Engage in intentional conversations about faith, prayer, and the importance of a personal relationship with God. Share your own testimonies and experiences of God's faithfulness to inspire and encourage your children.
IV. A lasting legacy teaches worship of God through Christ.
Remember the setting of the original speach. This was not some quiet death bed scene but rather a proclamation to the people on behalf of David’s legacy.
Think: Joshua’s declation ‘as for me and my house’.
This was the national declaration of David’s desire for God to have a place and a home at the center of the Israelite life.
The temple construction planned by David foreshadows the later establishment of the temple in Jerusalem, where worship and sacrifices would take place according to God's commands. Although the temple itself is not a direct representation of Jesus or the cross, it symbolizes the place where people would seek forgiveness and encounter God's presence through the sacrificial system. This sacrificial system ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross, where He became the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
Happy is the father that does not leave the worship of God a mystery for his children but models, teaches, questions, and guides his children in their worship of God.
Conclusion: Dear fathers, as we celebrate Father's Day today, let us recognize the significant role you play in shaping the lives of your children. Just as King David imparted wisdom and godly principles to Solomon, may you embrace personal strength, walk in obedience to God's Word, and leave a lasting legacy of faith for future generations. May God grant you the wisdom, love, and grace you need as you fulfill your role as fathers. Happy Father's Day!