Today’s Reading:
1 KINGS 2:1-4
"Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son,
saying”. (v. 1)
A charge is an instruction given to someone to carryout. There is a saying that a dying man’s final words are very important and significant. When King David was about to die he gave charge to his son Solomon, consisting instructions on being God’s “man” and securing the kingdom. Leaders typically or usually exhort their successors, for example, Moses to Joshua (Deut. 31:7-8); Joshua to all Israel (Josh. 23:1-6); and Samuel to all Israel (1 Sam. 12:1-25). So also, David gave Solomon a final charge /exhortation to keep the charge of the LORD his 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 he may prosper in all that he does, and whithersoever he turns himself.
“Be thou strong show thyself a man” is an expression of encouragement (Deut. 31:7, 23; Josh. 1:6-7, 9, 18; 1 Sam. 4:9) with which David sought to prepare Solomon for the difficult tasks and the battles in his future. David is now explaining to Solomon that he must be brave and stand as a man would stand. He must accept the decision making that goes with being king, as part of his duty as king. The weight of the government will now be on Solomon's shoulders.
God made a Covenant with David (2Sam. 7:4-17) and confirmed it to Solomon (1Kings. 9:5) promising the perpetuation of the Davidic dynasty over Israel. David declared that the king’s obedience to the law of Moses was a necessary condition for the fulfillment of the divine promise. David looks back over his time as king and realizes the importance of being totally obedient to the will of God. He explains to Solomon the blessings that goes with him if he obeys the commands of God. Prosperity in his reign is his own choice. He must keep the Law of Moses, not only formally, but from his heart being stayed upon pleasing the LORD.
David tells Solomon that even more blessings than had been bestowed upon him will be his, if he remains faithful to the LORD. The word "continue", means establish in this particular instance. However, the blessings of the LORD are conditional, if Solomon and his children must walk in the truth of the LORD for the blessing to be upon them.
Just as King David charged Solomon his son, our Lord Jesus Christ has also charged us:
to love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37)
to have faith, trust and believe in the word of God (Matthew 21:22)
to fear God which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
to do the work of reconciliation and to be an evangelist by winning souls (2 Corn 5:18, 2Timothy 4:5)
A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save and fit it for the sky.
OLAJIDE OGUNFUWA
Prayers:
God help me to take your words serious, important, and run with it, in Jesus name.
Father grant me the grace to be strong & courageous in order to carry out the charge given to me effectively, in Jesus name.
Lord forgive me for not carrying out the ministry of reconciliation, in Jesus name.
Lord, help our Church leaders to fulfill their divine mandate and keep their charge faithfully, in Jesus name.
I Pray for the blessing of the Lord upon our nation Nigeria, in Jesus name.
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