SPEAKING LIFE THAT LEAVES A LEGACY

INTRODUCTION

I’d like for you to take the Word of God with me, please, and turn to 1 Kings 2:1-11.

HOOK

Perhaps you’ve heard the old saying, “Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While good meaning, this is a straight up lie. In fact, words are one of the most destructive tools of the devil. God declares in Proverbs 18:21 one of the most powerful truths regarding our words and how they affect others.

Proverbs 18:21 KJV 1900

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Dad’s, and really everyone today, the power that God has granted to us is astronomical when it comes to our children. There is something about dad that God has placed within the heart of every child. Moms, you know this is true. You can say the same thing, but when dad says it, that same advice carries more weight. Don’t get frustrated with this, just recognize its truth.

In that regard, dad, the words you chose, how you say them, and when you say them are of the utmost importance.

The power of encouragement is impressive. There are few things more powerful. It can turn defeat into victory, sadness into joy, despair into hope. Mark Twain once remarked that he could live for two months on a good compliment.

QUOTE: John Maxwell said, “Everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it – young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous – is changed by it.”

David is about to pass into the presence of the Lord, and Solomon is about the take the throne of Israel. Solomon is very young at this time in his life. The Bible does not tell us his age, but best guesstimates put him anywhere from 15-20 years of age. He is relatively young, and David wants to give him some sage advice before he departs.

Like David with Solomon, godly parents speak life into their children by intentionally investing words of truth, direction, and blessing. Let me share five thoughts about what we need to speak into our children.

PASS ON THE BREVITY OF LIFE | VS. 2A

First of all, we need to pass on the brevity of life. Look again at the beginning in verse 2,

1 Kings 2:2 KJV 1900

2 I go the way of all the earth:…

It is simple, but profound. David is going to die. He knows it. Solomon knows it. Everyone knows it.

LIFE IS A GIFT WITH LIMITS

God’s Word reminds us that life is a gift from the Lord, and because of sin, it is a gift with limits. None of us know what a day may bring forth. Our life is but a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Make sure that with your children you remind them of the brevity of life. Now, I don’t mean to be morbid and talk about death, but what I mean is that we need to remind them that we don’t know what the future holds and that every day we must live for Christ.

It was Moses who said, in Psalm 90:12,

Psalm 90:12 KJV 1900

12 So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

URGENCY PRODUCES INTENTIONALITY

When we number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom, it creates a sense of urgency which produced intentionality.

We begin to intentionally live our lives instead of passively life our lives.

We begin to think about what we do and why we do it, and how it affects the rest of our lives.

We begin to question the results and if we are really pursuing things that really matter.

Pass on the brevity of life to your children. Help them see life is a gift from the Lord.

PUSH THEM TOWARD A GREATER PURPOSE | VS. 2B

Immediately after David reminds Solomon to be strong and shew himself a man. When we speak life that leaves a legacy we will also push others toward a greater purpose for their life.

DEFINITION: The phrase “show yourself a man” simply means to act with courage, strength, and maturity.

David is encouraging Solomon to continue to grow and continue to get stronger. Don’t settle for less than you could potentially achieve.

CALL OUT WHO THEY ARE BECOMING, NOT JUST WHO THEY ARE

One of the greatest challenges for parents and all of us is not seeing what God is doing and who God is shaping someone. We often will see today, who they are right now, and all their weaknesses, and we don’t see the person God is developing them into.

Because of this, we often attack and speak critically, instead of positively and with grace. This don’t mean we neglect the problems and ignore them. Instead, if frames how we see them and how we correct them. We use every opportunity as an opportunity for grace and for God to work and for us to point others to Jesus.

In this you can communicate how their actions are contrary to the ways of the Lord and what they should have done. You can ask questions to get them to think and to process what should have been done.

By speaking this way, it also keeps our hearts in check, knowing that we are also a work in progress with the Lord, and how our words and actions affect others.

STRENGTH IS DEVELOPED NOT INHERITED

Remember, strength is developed not inherited. Parents, just because you’ve developed some spiritual strength in your life, doesn’t mean your children inherit this strength. David says, “Solomon, you’ve got to become strong. You can’t just rely on my strength to carry you through.”

ILLUSTRATION: We have a term, Trust-Fund Babies. The idea is that children or grandchildren are living on what others have given them, and the term is negative, because often these people don’t know how to live.

When we speak life that leaves a legacy, we may leave behind plenty for the next generation, but we have prepared them to use it wisely.

POINT THEM TO THE PATH OF GOD | VS. 3

And as we guide others and push them toward a great purpose, the direction of that push must be pointing them to the path of God. Verse 3 continues David’s speech,

1 Kings 2:3 KJV 1900

3 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:

People can be strong in things that are not godly. We build strength in everything we actively pursue. So make sure to point them in the right way.

THE WORD OF GOD MUST BE HANDED DOWN DELIBERATELY

Be careful, that you don’t just simply do what is right, but talk about it the why behind it. The Word of God must be handed down deliberately, which is what David is doing.

Six different ways David tell Solomon to live for Jehovah because He is worthy. The following list is not repetitious, but directive. David is not just saying “obey God,” he is defining obedience in full.

Keep the charge of the Lord thy God is a reminder that God has given Solomon influence and to make sure he keeps that in the forefront of his mind. Solomon is being told, “This is your calling. Guard it. Take it seriously.”

How we do that is to walk in God’s ways. This shifts from responsibility to lifestyle. It is not just what you do in moments, but how you live daily. It speaks of direction, pattern, and consistency.

Keeping God’s statutes is a way we walk in God’s ways. These are established principles or fixed ordinances. Think of them as God’s prescribed boundaries for living.

His commands are direct orders. Clear, unmistakable instructions from God. This emphasizes obedience when God has plainly spoken.

His judgments refers to God’s rulings, how He evaluates right and wrong. This calls Solomon to align his decisions with God’s standard of justice.

His testimonies point to what God has revealed about Himself, His Word as a witness. This includes remembering and honoring what God has said and done.

So why all the different words? Because true obedience is not one-dimensional. God is showing that following Him involves:

(charge)Responsibility 

(walk)Lifestyle 

(statutes)Principles 

(commandments)Commands 

(judgments)Discernment 

(testimonies)Revelation 

This is not repetition for emphasis alone, it is completeness. David is telling Solomon, “Do not reduce your relationship with God to one aspect. Obey Him in every way He has revealed Himself.”

PREPARE THEM TO BUILD ON THE PAST | VS. 4

That is a huge task, and can feel overwhelming and daunting. It would make some people want to throw in the towel before they even begin. We’ve got some big shoes to fill. David knows this and so he tells Solomon to continue the word which God spake to David. Verse 4 reads,

1 Kings 2:4 KJV 1900

4 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.

David prepares Solomon to build on the past. This is the fourth truth David speaks into the life of Solomon leaving a legacy. He prepares him to build on the past.

REMIND THEM THEY STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Our children are not building a life on their own, but on the foundation we are laying today, which is built upon the foundation of others that have gone on before.

No one is truly alone in our world. We build on the foundation of others. Within Christianity, we all stand on the shoulders of the faithful. We have some much to praise God for.

GOD’S PROMISES ARE CONDITIONAL ON FAITHFUL LIVING

David cautions Solomon not to abuse the foundation which was laid. He reminds him that God’s promises are conditional on faithful living.

In America was are witnessing the destruction of the foundation. For generations, godly men and women before us laid a foundation of godliness, which today is being destroyed by those who have rejected God. And don’t think this is just the lost. Our elections and wickedness abounds in our government because Christians have not continued to build on the foundation. We have forsaken the ways of the Lord. We need to recognize this failure, repent of it, and get back to building on the foundation of the Lord.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS TODAY IS SOMEONE ELSE’S FOUNDATION TOMORROW

And don’t forget, your faithfulness today is someone’s else foundation tomorrow. David is not only reminding Solomon of what God has spoen to him, but also helping Solomon realize others will be building upon Solomon’s faithfulness.

The sad reality of this plays out in 1 Kings 11. Solomon forsook the ways of the Lord and as a result the kingdom was destroyed. Don’t forget today we are building not only for our own lives, but for generations that will come after us.

PROTECT THEM BY SETTLING THE PRESENT | VV. 5-9

David gives one final command, which is the longest and most complex. Let’s read it and then I’ll explain it.

1 Kings 2:5–9 KJV 1900

5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. 7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. 8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. 9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

There are three various challenges from David to Solomon. One dealing with Joab, a second dealing with Barzillai, and a third to Shimei.

Liberal scholarship falsely criticizes David saying he is taking vengeance upon Joab and Shimei upon his death bed. This is not true. When you read the passages in the Word of God about what transpired, David is actually asking Solomon to complete some work that needsa to be resolved before it festers even worse.

In cold blood, Joab murdered Abner, Saul and Ishbosheth’s captain, in revenge and jealousy (cf. 2 Sam 2:22–23; 3:12–27). He had killed Absalom against David’s wishes (2 Sam 18:5, 14), and had supported Adonijah’s attempt to seize the throne (1 Kings 1:7). David was not taking vengeance so much as he was dealing with Joab’s wickedness.

Barzillai was to be given preferential treatment because he had demonstrated his faithfulness by supplying food for David when he fled Absalom (2 Sam 17:27–29).

And, Shimei had violated Exodus 22:28, “Thou shalt not … curse the ruler of thy people,” when he had cursed David as he fled Jerusalem (2 Sam 16:5–8). Scripture clearly indicates that Shimei had bitterly rebelled against God in rejecting David (God’s anointed) in favor of Saul, whom God had publicly rejected.

UNRESOLVED CONFLICT IN A BURDEN PASSED TO THE NEXT GENERATION

Each of these situation is unresolved conflict, which pass a burden to the next generation if not dealt with. David does not want Solomon to have to deal with these situations later in his kingdom, but early on. And by resolving them quickly and biblically, Solomon is setting a foundation for resolving matters according to the truth of God’s Word.

WISDOM NAVIGATES JUSTICE AND MERCY WITHOUT COMPROMISING EITHER

David knows that wisdom navigates justice and mercy without compromising either. He is not going after Joab and Shimei willy-nilly, but specifically because justice is demanded by God. By coupling Barzillai and the mercy to be shown, Solomon will be seen as righteous, just, and merciful. Truly a trifecta of praiseworthy character traits.

EQUIP YOUR CHILDREN TO HANDLE COMPLEXITY WITH DISCERNMENT

Parents, equip your children to handle complexity with discernment. There are times for both justice and mercy. Before David spoke these words, he first made sure Solomon was guided in the ways of the Lord. And before that he challenged him to be strong, knowing that life is short so live it to the fullest for Christ.

CONCLUSION

David has said his final words. The torch has been passed. And in these eleven verses, we have witnessed something beautiful; a father who loved his son enough to speak life into him before he departed.

He didn't leave Solomon with gold. He didn't leave him with a battle plan. He left him with words, which shaped a kingdom.

Dads, you have that same power today.

You have the power to remind your children that life is short, so live it for Christ.

You have the power to push them toward a purpose greater than themselves.

You have the power to point them down the path of God's Word.

You have the power to connect them to a legacy of faithfulness they didn't earn but can certainly steward.

And you have the power to model wisdom, showing them how to handle a complicated world with justice, mercy, and discernment.

Proverbs 18:21 told us where we started,

Proverbs 18:21 KJV 1900

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Dad, which one are you speaking?

Some of you may be thinking, "Preacher, I've already said too many of the wrong things." Let me remind you, Solomon was not a perfect king. He made devastating mistakes. But the words David spoke over him were never wasted. God's Word never returns void. It is not too late to begin speaking life.

CALL TO ACTION

As we close today, I want to ask you to do three things this week:

First, find your Solomon. The child, grandchild, nephew, or young person God has placed in your sphere of influence, and make a deliberate decision to speak life into them.

Second, open your Bible together. Don't just tell them what to do; show them what God says. Hand down the Word deliberately, just as David did.

Third, and most importantly, make sure your own walk is right with the Lord. You cannot point someone to a path you are not walking yourself. If today you realize your foundation has cracked, the altar is open. Come and make it right.

The greatest gift you will ever give your children is not found under a Christmas tree, or in a college fund, or on a graduation card. It is found in the daily, deliberate, Spirit-filled investment of your words, your life, and your faith.

Speak life, Dad. They are listening.