David's Charge

INTRO: Note events leading to Solomon's coronation as king. Adonijah at first tried to usurp the kingship, an act reported to David by Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan. David thwarts this attempt, and upon his dying bed, he appoints Solomon as his successor. In so doing, he gives him a solemn charge; one that is amazingly like what God expects of his people today. Let us note that charge.

I DAVID TELLS OF HIS IMPENDING DEATH 
   A. I go the way of all the earth ..." (v. 2).
       1. "The way" (derek), a road (as trodden) ... journey ... passenger.
       2. All die; no exceptions, David included (cf. Heb. 9:27).

II "BE THOU STRONG THEREFORE" (v. 2).
   A. Spiritual strength must be developed by all of God's people.
       1. "Be strong ..." (1 Cor. 16:13).
       2. "Be strong in the Lord ..." (Eph. 6:10).
       3. "Be strong in grace ..." (2 Tim. 2:1).
   B. No place for weaklings in God's service.
       1. As babes, deserve protection by the strong (Rom. 15:1).
           a. Else, may succumb to temptations early.
       2. The weak will fall away (Matt. 13:20-21).

III "SHOW THYSELF A MAN" (v. 2)
   A. God needs spiritual men.
       1. A time to be babes; but not to remain one (1 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:14; 1
           Cor. 3:1-5).
       2. Grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18; Heb. 5:14).
   B. Marks of a man in God's sight (cf. Jer. 5:1).
       1. One that "doeth justly."
       2. One that "seeketh truth."
       3. Many have grown in stature, but are dwarfs in heart and mind; have not
           learned the first principles of justice, honesty, truth, integrity and respect
           for God.
          a. Hence, in the essential of true manhood, they are still babes.

IV "KEEP THE CHARGE OF JEHOVAH" (v. 3)
   A. What is a "charge?"
       1. "A thing watched" (Young).
       2. "An address containing instruction or exhortation" (Webster).
   B. We have "charges" today.
       1. To "preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:1-2).
       2. To "war a good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18).
       3. To keep God's commandments without spot or reproach (1 Tim. 6:13-
           14).

V "WALK IN HIS WAYS" v. 3)
   A. Many exhortations to this effect.
       1. Judah was told to do so (Jer. 6:16).
           a. Note that they refused to do so.
       2. Prophesied that faithful men would do so (Isa. 2:2-3).
   B. We today must walk in God's ways; as he directs.
       1. Walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
       2. Walk worthy of our vocation (Eph. 4:1).
       3. Walk in love (Eph. 5:1).
       4. Walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8).
       5. Walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15).
       6. Why walk in such ways?
           a. God's ways are better than ours (Isa. 55:6-9).
           b. Man's ways lead to death (Prov. 16:25; Jer. 10:23).

VI "KEEP HIS STATUTES, COMMANDMENTS, ..." (v. 3)
   A. These terms imply God's directives to man.
       1. This has always been man's first duty (Eccl. 12:13).
   B. Where do we find these directives?
       1. For Solomon, in the law of Moses.
       2. For us in the law of Christ (Heb. 1:1-2).

VII THE WONDERFUL RESULTS (vv. 3-4)
   A. First, for Solomon.
       1. He would prosper in all he did (v. 3).
       2. God's promises to him came true (v. 12).
       3. Under Solomon, Israel attained some of her greatest glory (cf. 1 Chron.
           22:9).
   B. For God's people today.
       1. Promise of eternal life (Rom. 6:23; 1 John 2:25).
       2. How much more prosperous can one get!?
       3. God's rewards are great (Psa. 103:1-5)!

CONCLUSION: It would do us good to look at David's charge to Solomon quite regularly! We can learn much from it, and if we will keep the charges that God gives us, we like Solomon, will prosper greatly.