Scripture
1 Chronicles 22:5-“David said, ‘My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.’ So David made extensive preparations before his death."
Observation
A wise man wrote, “lift others up, elevate others platform, enhance others reputation, expand others world.” King David did just that as he prepped his son and heir to fulfill the promise of God. He did everything within his power to ensure that Solomon would succeed and the legacy that God inspired David to would continue. He called upon all the skilled men and leaders, verse 17, to forge forward with their new king and ultimately placed the mantle upon him prior to leaving his throne to ensure no doubt that Solomon was the man in charge.
Even to the end, David exemplified the potent combination of God’s anointing and man’s obedience. When threatened by spears, David walked away and waited upon the Lord for vengeance. When betrayed by Absalom, David moved forward with grace and humility. And when left short of complete glory in building the house of the Lord God, David paved the way so that the next man would find success.
Application
As I move slowly but surely into maturity, which is a fancy way to say “I’m getting old!”, no time is better than the present to ensure that the legacy of honoring God, His commands, and His promises through creative and relevant presentations of the Gospel is carried forth. When looking at King David a couple of things apply immediately.
- He identified Solomon as young and inexperienced (v.5)...and he found worth in him nonetheless. Instead of using his youth as a reason to doubt, David saw Solomon’s youth as a reason to set him up even more. I’ve been there, told you’re too young, too inexperienced, but I’ve also seen the other end. I’ve been encouraged, allowed to fail, given opportunities, and gently corrected. I choose to do the latter each and every time.
- David completely understood the task ahead. He says, “the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations.” By having a clear understanding of the goal, David knew exactly how to prep his young son. Too often we call upon the young and inexperienced to a task that has no clear target or sense of order. Instead, we much better serve others when there is clarity and the task is goal-oriented, suiting of the giftings of the called upon.
- After identifying the quality of his heir and the task ahead, King David then sets out to make “extensive preparations before his death.” This wraps it all up. Again, David could’ve stopped. He’d done enough and then some. His name and legacy would’ve probably remained intact if he didn’t do anything from that moment forward. But David chooses to finish the game and make sure that all of God’s glory would come to fruition whether he would be there to see it or not. David could’ve sulked that he wouldn’t build the Temple of God. He could’ve kept count of the many times he forged forward in the name of God, the countless hours he put in to secure the that God’s name would remain the Name above all names. He could’ve made it difficult for Solomon and sabotaged his chance at success.
But he didn’t. He helped him, his son, the benefactor of the Kingdom that he defended, bleed for, and served so faithfully. David left a legacy and set up the next man to succeed, and again proved his worth as a man after God’s own heart.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for blessing me with incredible heroes of the faith upon which whose shoulders I stand. I pray for the obedience and humility of David, whose purpose was Your fame and Your glory. Help me to stay strong and on the mission, putting cause over comfort as we strive to bring new hope to a broken world.
