Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Delivers his Charge to Solomon

◄ David: King of Israel: Delivers his Charge to Solomon ►

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David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, renowned for his leadership, military prowess, and deep devotion to God. As his life drew to a close, David's focus turned to ensuring the continuity of his kingdom and the fulfillment of God's promises through his son Solomon. This pivotal moment is captured in the biblical account where David delivers his charge to Solomon, providing both practical and spiritual guidance for the young king's reign.

Context and Background

David's charge to Solomon occurs during a time of transition in Israel's history. Having established a united kingdom and secured peace from surrounding enemies, David's reign set the stage for a period of prosperity and growth. However, David was acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead for his successor. Solomon, though chosen by God to build the temple, was young and inexperienced. David's charge was thus both a fatherly exhortation and a prophetic mandate.

The Charge: A Call to Obedience and Wisdom

David's charge to Solomon is recorded in 1 Kings 2:1-4 and 1 Chronicles 28-29. In 1 Kings 2:1-3 , David instructs Solomon: "As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, saying, 'I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as it is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn.'"

David emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law as the foundation for a successful reign. This charge underscores the covenantal relationship between God and the king, where adherence to divine commandments is paramount for the prosperity and stability of the kingdom.

The Promise of a Perpetual Dynasty

David also reminds Solomon of God's promise to establish a lasting dynasty through their lineage. In 1 Kings 2:4 , David continues, "And so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: 'If your descendants take heed to their way, to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'" This promise, contingent upon faithfulness, highlights the conditional nature of God's covenant with David's house, emphasizing the need for Solomon to lead with integrity and devotion.

Preparation for the Temple

In 1 Chronicles 28-29, David provides Solomon with detailed plans for the construction of the temple, a task divinely appointed to Solomon. David's preparation includes gathering materials, organizing labor, and offering personal resources to ensure the temple's completion. In 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 , David charges Solomon, "As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it."

A Legacy of Faith and Leadership

David's charge to Solomon is a profound moment that encapsulates the essence of biblical leadership: strength, obedience, wisdom, and faithfulness. It reflects David's understanding of the divine mandate and his desire to see God's purposes fulfilled through his lineage. Solomon's subsequent reign, marked by wisdom and the building of the temple, stands as a testament to the foundational principles imparted by his father, King David.

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1 Kings 2:1-11
Now the days of David drew near that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
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1 Chronicles 22:6-19
Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
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1 Chronicles 28:1
And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, to Jerusalem.
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1 Chronicles 29:1
Furthermore David the king said to all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
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Library

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... And David, as a man not accustomed to harness, would try how he was ... was commanded
to anoint Hazael king over Syria, and Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

And ii.
... subject, viz., of the whole of Israel, [Pg 453 ... must be judged, where Jerome expressly
delivers his supposition as ... it was called the Citadel of King David," etc. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... But when the King of all nations Himself was born, then ... And so Christ, both the Son
of David and the ... hundred years, after which the people of Israel went out ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

The Object of Theology
... is the reason why the Gentiles without Christ are said to be "alien from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers ... Though David himself was the king of a ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration i the object of.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... a lion; where the word of a king is, there ... of God; but, on the other side, David
saith, "Concerning ... same fear also possessed the children of Israel when they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Book vi. It is with a Full Knowledge of the Dangers and Passions ...
... And David, the man that was found after Thine own heart, has betrayed me to ... Whom
Nathanael had confessed as the Son of God and King of Israel, Who had ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book vi it is with.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... because he had given them such a king as Solomon ... the Son, "Thou art my servant, O
Israel, in whom I ... If David, and Solomon, and Peter, had thus objected against ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... They thought it plausible to quote from David, "By the word of ... how Christ, who is
Lord of all, and King and Judge ... the Father alone is the God of Israel, I will ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory ... 8). Thus, therefore, he now went
on bewailing his sinful sleep ... Thus it happened to Israel, for their sin; they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... heart, and will go, if I may, with Christiana, unto her husband, and his King.[88]. ...
work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm