A king grown wise by battles, treacheries, victories and celebrations exhorted his son stepping up to the throne:

“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.”

David’s charge to Solomon did not involve foreign policy or fiscal restraint. He failed to reference politics or standing armies. Instead he focused on the ultimate guide to Solomon’s success or failure as king—follow the ways of God as written in the book.

Among others, perhaps David had these passages from the Law of Moses in mind when he considered his talented son:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength…Fear the Lord your God, serve him only…Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land (Deuteronomy 6:5,14-15).

The wisest man in the world, Solomon found success in all he touched. Unfortunately, he strayed from his father’s charge. Solomon eventually gave in to the gods of the peoples around him and his kingdom fell apart after his death. Wisdom faded under time, success and pleasure.

David’s charge remains for us to embrace. Read the Word and make every effort to follow the ways of the Lord. Solomon may have let this advice slide, but it’s still the one way to human flourishing proven true again and again over thousands of years.

1 Kings 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Aaron Burden