Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Introduction to Lesson

King David has come to the end of his life. He is old and soon he will be with God, but before he departs the earth he has some parting advice for the soon-to-be king Solomon. King David was a “warrior and had shed much blood”(1 Chron 28:3). He was a shepherd boy, killed a lion and bear, giant-killer, Philistine destroyer, and king. But he was also an adulterer, liar, and murderer. The Bible still calls him a “man after God’s own heart”(1 Sam 13:14). His desire was to build God a temple but God instead chose Solomon to be the one to build His temple. Solomon would go on to be a great king, rich, wise, and noble but before he could do any of this He still needed some advice from his dad.

#1. Pursue an intimate relationship with God

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. David’s first piece of advice for his son is what every parent desires for their children. David desires that Solomon be a man after God’s own heart, like himself ( The Bible commands us to train our children (Prov 22:6). I have never heard a parent complain that their child was having a terrible time in life if their child had an intimate relationship with God. Good times and bad times do come, health issues happen, economic shifts, but even those things can be overcome with a personal relationship with God. So many lives go astray because a child isn’t instructed on the pursuit of life. Life is about developing and enjoying a relationship with God. Life is about a Who not a what. If you don’t pursue God you will pursue all manner of things and they very often don’t lead you to God.

#2 Be genuine in your service to Him

Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. Worship and service can be done in many ways. It can be: charity, tithing, sacrifice, volunteering, teaching, chores, singing, prayer, and loving your neighbors. Above all of these is obedience (1 Sam 15:22). You can give all the money you have, spend all your time at church, and read the Bible everyday of your life but if you don’t obey God, it’s all for not.

If you serve and obey God it must be done with your whole heart and mind. The Bible tells us that we cannot serve two masters (Matt 6:24). We must not attempt to use God for our own self interests. In all things we do we must do with love (1 Cor 13:1-3). We must also do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

The reason David gives for genuine service is because God is omniscient and knows all things. God knows our motives and thoughts and why we do what we do. If works are done out of love for Him we will be rewarded in heaven but if not they will be burned by fire (1 Cor 3:10-15).

#3 Seek Him and you’ll find Him but forsake Him and He will forsake you

If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. One commentator once said that Heaven and Hell are a person’s choice at last made permanent. The Bible guarantees that if we seek God we will find Him (Jer 29:13). It also tells us that when we find Him we will be rewarded (Matt 6:33). Again, I’ve never heard of someone being totally devoted to God and have a life of turmoil. The Bible tells us that we have no excuse for not seeking God because he has revealed Himself to us (Rom 1:18-23). The Bible is clear that only those who come by Jesus will enter the kingdom (John 14:6). Those that deny Jesus will be denied by His Father (Matt 10:33) and be cast into the fire (Matt 3:22). The Bible also tells us that only fools don’t believe in God (Psalm 14:1).

#4 Take the call on your life seriously

So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as His sanctuary. David hoped to build a temple for the Lord but God chose Solomon to do it. But David still gathered all the material and did all the prep work necessary for His son to do so. Just like us parents we lead you to church, buy you Bibles, teach you, protect you and attempt to provide a good example. We do this in hopes that you take what we’re teaching you seriously. We cannot make the choice for you or live your lives we can only do the prep work. You must let God into your hearts, that is the Temple we have (1 Cor 3:16). The Bible also tells us that He stands at the door of our hearts (Rev 3:20). McGee once said “He stands at the door of your heart and knocks but He will not knock it down”. We should live a left expectant of His return (Rev 22:12), we need to wake up (Rom13:11-14). The story of Samson comes to mind. He had every gift to be a serious hero of the Bible but He didn’t take the call on His life seriously.

#5 Be strong and do the work

Be strong, and do the work. Before his reign David calls Solomon young and inexperienced (1 Chron 22:5). Solomon himself describes himself as a little child (1 Kings 3:7). David wants Solomon to be strong and its the same for us as parents for our own children but how do you get strong? The Bible tells us to “workout our salvation” (Phil 2:12). Some people have natural strengths and weaknesses, but we can always get stronger in some points and develop our weaker parts. This is done by obedience. This reminds me of the Exodus story, throughout all their time in the desert, God was trying to grow the Israelites faith in Him. Damian Kyle once said “You can never live a more holy life, when you know the Word of God and the will of God, and obey it, and to do so in whatever situation He chooses to place you in”.

Its not enough to read the Bible and memorize scripture. The Bible tells us not be just hearers of the Word but doers (James 1:25). There are three reasons to be doers of the Word. First, you’ll be blessed by being obedient (Deut 28:1-14). If you disobey the Bible says you’ll have a bad time (Deut 28:15-68). Secondly, others will here of your faithfulness and will be drawn to God, the story of Jethro meeting Moses in the desert comes to mind. It’s been said to “you could be the only Bible people will ever read”, so live a life that illustrates the Bible. Thirdly, it will give to glory to God Who deserves all the glory (1 Cor 10:31) and (Matt 5:16).