Timeless Advice from King David to Solomon

In 1 Kings 2, King David is on his deathbed. As his time draws near, he gives some final words of advice to Solomon. Just like in many great movies, when a key character is about to pass on, their last words are usually pivotal to the storyline and valuable life lessons. David’s words hit that mark!

2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, 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 establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

1 Kings 2:2-4 (ESV)

David’s Final Advice

Now, Scripture tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart. His final words of advice prove this to be true. David could have just said, “Follow the Law of Moses,” which would have been perfectly acceptable.

However, instead, David chooses to state, “keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses.” This is such an important statement and just as pertinent today as it was back then.

So many times, we get caught up with the ‘rules’ of Christian living. Perhaps we try to follow the Ten Commandments? Perhaps we live by Paul’s Epistles? Perhaps we just hang onto the Gospels? Yet, David’s words should echo into all our hearts, to keep all of God’s “keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies.”

The Wealth of Scripture

Today, we have a wealth of history, wisdom, poetry, and eternal truth poured into 66 books that have been conveniently compiled and bound into one record for us to carry with us and share. In David’s day, Moses’ writings were the only foundational Scripture.

If David could speak to us today from his deathbed, he would likely be jealous of the amount of Scripture we possess. Furthermore, he’d probably plead with us to dive into its entirety on a daily basis.

David’s Legacy

David was a man who cared for sheep yet battled a giant. David was a man who fell into adulterous sin yet wrote God-given hymns and praises. David was a man who had to run for his life yet became the greatest king of Israel.

When a man of this stature and experience speaks, we should definitely listen.

Finally, it’s important to note the reasons why we should keep all of God’s “statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies.” According to the man after God’s own heart, we “may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.”

That’s something we can hold on to each and every day.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• What’s your key to having a prosperous life?
• How do you incorporate all of God’s statutes, commandments, rules, and testimonies into your daily life?
• What Scriptures have significantly impacted your walk with God?