David’s dying words are invaluable!

Let’s face it, if David was considered a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14), his words should definitely be noteworthy. The decisions he made, the instruction he gave, and the songs he wrote should cause us to pause and contemplate.

In the Old Testament, reading through 1 Kings, note what takes place in chapter two. King David is on his deathbed and gives his last word of advice to his son, Solomon.

“‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’” (1 Kings 2:2-4)

Now let’s come back to that scripture that tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart. His last word of advice proves this absolutely true!

Think about it; David could have just said ‘follow the Law of Moses’, which would have been perfectly acceptable. But instead, David chooses a fuller instruction, to “…keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses“.

We can’t miss this!

This is such an important statement, and so pertinent to our lives today! David’s words should echo into all our hearts, keep all of God’s “decrees and commands, his laws and requirements“.

Why? Keep in mind, that in David’s day, Moses’ writings were the only foundational Scripture. Compare that to what we have now; a wealth of history, wisdom, poetry and eternal truth poured into 66 books, that have been conveniently compiled and bound (or digitized) into one record for us to carry around with us and distribute freely. Not forgetting the high literacy rate in our current age!

If David could speak to us today from his deathbed, he would likely be jealous of the amount of Scripture we possess and able to read whenever we want. He’d plead with us to dive into it daily and in its entirety, which brings up an important side-note.

We can get caught up with our favourite ‘laws’ (Scriptures) of Christian living. We lean into certain books or passages in the Bible as being more valuable or more applicable or more ________________ (fill in the blank).

• Perhaps, we try to follow the ten commandments given to Moses?
• Perhaps, we lean into the Epistles and Paul’s instruction for the church?
• Perhaps, we hang on to the Gospels and focus on Jesus’ teaching?

We need to be careful here. Paul was very clear to his apprentice Timothy on how to view Scripture:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

Why bother?

Maybe you’re wondering, Why should I bother reading the Bible? Why should I bother studying it and applying it to my life? What good will it do? How will it change my life? Why should we listen to David’s advice?

• David cared for sheep yet battled a giant.
• David led armies yet refused to overthrow the king.
• David fell into adulterous sin yet wrote God-given hymns and praises.
• David had to run for his life yet became the greatest king of Israel.

David’s got the resume to know what he’s talking about. When a man of this stature and experience speaks, we should listen. It just makes sense! And if that’s not enough, listen to what he says right after keeping all of God’s “decrees and commands, his laws and requirements“.

According to the man after God’s own heart, we will “prosper in all you do and wherever you go“.

You will prosper.

You will live a prosperous life leaning into God, reading His Scriptures, and applying them to your life. By prosperous, understand I don’t mean by our culture’s standard. Reading the Bible doesn’t make you rich and famous! (Although, God does choose to bless some people in this way for His purposes.)

The prosperous life that God offers has meaning, value and purpose. Relationships with God and with others are transformed. Decisions matter more, even the little ones. Fears and anxieties can be laid down. Joy and celebration can be fully embraced. Peace and rest are actually attainable.

All of this because you’ve been set on a life-long mission that unfolds throughout Scripture, called the Gospel. A mission that will conclude in a future moment, as outlined in the final 66th book of the Bible, called Revelation.

I hope you’ve been convinced.

I hope you’ve been compelled to pick up a Bible today and start reading it. David experienced it, and millions of others since David have experienced it; the Word of God will change your life!

If reading Scripture is already a part of your daily rhythm, that’s amazing! Keep diving in and praying through every passage. God’s prosperous blessings of peace and wisdom will continue to flow.

If it’s been a while or you’re just getting started, you don’t have to read all 66 books cover to cover, in that order. Instead, pray and ask God’s Holy Spirit to direct you to a specific book, then start reading. I am certain that you will prosper by what you read, and by what God reveals for your life.