Discover what piece of advice King David felt was the most pressing thing he needed to share with his son Solomon, shortly before he died. Solomon went on the be a legendary king. David who was known for many feats including military strength and slaying Goliath, considered to be a man of great courage after God's heart, the last bit of wisdom he had to impress on his son was simple: keep God's commandments.
When David was dying he poured his heart out to his son Solomon, who would proceed him in rule. He prayed for him and gave him the very best advice he could. A friend of mine had a similar experience when her beloved grandfather was dying. Each grandchild went to him and he prayed over them and poured into them one last time. The experience was rich and meaningful, and she remembers his words years later. And you know what both men talked about? It wasn't small talk about the weather, professional sports, or politics. They focused on the important stuff.
Doesn't that make sense? If you can only say one thing to a loved one, or if you're running out of time with someone you don't just blabber nonsense. You don't spout off cliches. You focus on the most important truths.
So what did this great king say to his son?
"Guard the charge of YHWH your Elohim: to walk in his ways, to guard his laws and guard his commands, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you do wisely in all that you do." -1 Kings 2:3
Guard the commandments! Do what Scripture says! Honor YHWH!
The best wisdom one of Israel's greatest kings could impart to his heir - and to us - was to keep the commandments of Scripture. It wasn't a bullet-point breakdown of how to defeat Goliath. He didn't give Solomon tips on running the nation. He didn't give a generic piece of advice. He didn't talk about how to be a mighty warrior. He focused on the essential foundation for how to live. He knew that if Solomon would guard the commandments then he would also be able to defeat Goliath, he would rule with excellence, he would find rest in keeping the Sabbath; David knew that if his son would follow Scripture's instructions he would be mighty in YHWH.
The New Testament tells us that David was a man after YHWH's own heart (Acts 13:22). I've heard sermons and teachings on this topic. I've done Bible studies to learn more about David and to become more like him, also pursuing the heart of the Creator. So let's not miss the wisdom in his final advice. What message did David use some of his very last breaths to share with us? To walk in the ways of God and guard his commandments!
More about keeping the commandments:
Is it Possible to Keep the Law Today?
Keeping the Law: The Ten Commandments as Marriage Vows
Scripture Defines Sin as Not Keeping the Commandments
How Much Biblical Law Do Believers Already Keep?
