"Be strong"
Kings • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
Introduction:
I cannot be loud enough, consistent enough to express my gratitude for our teens. It is considered a privilege to have these teens to look to as an example. An example to the younger children, and to us who are older. I am thankful!
I am also thankful you who were once in the shoes of these teens, and now are great examples to us who are younger. As we all are aware, this is part of the process. There is one common denominator to the ability to be able to stand here as a church family with the varying ages and generations involved.
Context:
In the book of 1 Kings we are going to look at the charge that David gives to his son Solomon. David was around the age of 70 (2 Samuel 5:4) and nearing death. This places Solomon around 17 years old. It appears that in 1 Kings 1 there are stability issues and reliability concerns moving forward for the nation of Israel.
We could have have been waking up to a very different state and demeanor as a Country this morning. Regardless, there is uncertainty and instability throughout our land. We have seen in the context of our own nation, that when things become unstable, man’s varying solutions begin to surface.
1 and 2nd Kings originally were one book in the Hebrew Bible, some have suggested that this is partial to result of the Kingdoms being divided. The author is unknown although there were some suggestions of who it may be. This book aligned with 1st and 2nd Chronicles is primarily intended to record History and express the image of God’s provision throughout the nation of Israel along with their frequent failings.
The writer starts out in Chapter one explaining the state of King David. He is nearing death, and the circulation in his body is not good, and he has need to be warmed up. Abishag, a shummite woman, came to care and serve the king. It is vitally important to note that this woman did not “know” David, and therefore there was no sinful relationship or relations going on during this event. Many scholars have determined that through the words “caring and serving” she was more along the lines of a Nurse as we would know it today. As David’s health continued to decline more uncertainty began to settle in.
Within his own family, entitlement began to grow and while things were unstable, David’s oldest son, Adonijah was awaiting the opportunity to settle in as the next king. I like how Weirsbe explains this situation:
“A real leader looks at a crisis and asks, What can I do that will best help the people”? An opportunist looks at a crisis and asks, How can I use this situation to promote myself and get what I want”.
Adonijah was the opportunist at this time. Most likely around 35 years old at the time. David’s firstborn Amnon was killed by Absolom, his second Son Kileab must have died young because there is no record of his life, and the third son, Absalom was slain by Joab. Therefore Adonijah, the oldest living child felt entitled.
David goes on to charge Solomon as part of his last words. “Charge”-What is to be held in trust, guarded, an obligation,, service or duty.
“I go the way of the earth”- coined by Joshua at the end of his life (Joshua 23:14). As to say He is about to return to dust as Ecclesiastes 3:20 explains. So with this reality, he begins to urge Solomon through his final words.
“Be strong”-not willing to learn new information which would imply that the information would change the response to the situation. Leads right into- Strengthen yourself!
Prove yourself a Man and follow this way. Here is a man who struggled throughout his life, yet was seeking to finish well and hand off well.
As mentioned in the confine of this passage, what American portrays as the “typical Man” is not the same as how God explains it.
Our country, families, and churches need a man who is built upon the foundational basis of God’s Word.
In five areas we see David exhort Solomon-
Walk in His Ways- Not anyone elses. Psalm 128.1
1 Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways.
“Walk” in its original context meant to “live or behave in a specific manner”. Reverence for God expresses itself in actions and behaviours.
Keep His Statutes-(Choq)- rule, law and regulation.
Keep His Commandments- (Mitzvah)-General hebrew term for commandment and usually refers to the comprehensive list of laws or body of laws given by the Lord in the books of Moses. This word is also used often when the Lord spoke directly in the OT.
Keep His Judgments- (Mispat)- another aspect or portion of God’s commandments. (Genesis 26:5). The Lord said that He blessed Abraham because he obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my Laws.
Keep His testimonies-Things that God has done in your life or someone elses life which prove that God is alive and He exists.
Notice the common word “Keep”.
The elements of maintaining, remaining and guarding or watching after.
Why? Just as Moses said in Joshua 1:7
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Verse 4 continues by referring back to the Davidic Covenant from 2 Sam. 7:12-16. (Read)
Notice the prophecy elements:
He will do these things- this includes chastening.
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Deut. 6. -Larry Kindred Note
“Great responsibilities required great strength and courage. Great strength and courage come from walking in the ways of the Lord and keeping His commandments”.
As the nation was looking for stability, they needed a man. By the end of this short conversation, David expresses if a leader follows wholey and completely, they will not lack a man.
Teens, there can be a tendecy to get irritable over the limits you see today, but please realize you are being prepared for this charge, before you are sent out.
Our churches, families and country need faithful followers who have the proper motive in heart. We do this so that we understand and see what the Lord is saying in Psalm 2 so clearly.
At this time I ask that the teens come back up for our last song.