Let’s get our bearings on where we’re at.
Solomon is 20 years old.
He has just inherited the kingdom from his father, David.
David is now “sleeping with his ancestors.”
Solomon can no longer go to his father for advice.
The situation must have been as overwhelming as it was intimidating.
How in the world would Solomon be able to govern such a large nation all by himself?
Before David passed, he did his best to let Solomon know who posed the greatest threats to his kingdom.
These threats would’ve come from David’s enemies, no doubt.
The Scriptures only identify a couple of these men, such as Joab and Shimei.
But keep in mind, David would’ve created a ton more enemies throughout his lifetime.
There’s no way one can sit on the throne for 40 years and not step on some toes during such a long reign.
There would’ve been many families whose members David had offended at best or had killed at worst.
My point is, David’s enemy list was much longer than you can imagine.
In instructing Solomon, David was essentially giving Solomon a template on how to deal with those who had remained loyal to him and those who, through their actions and sometimes not-so-subtle words, were threats.
Of course, one of the positive examples was the sons of Barzillai, who had remained loyal to the Davidic royal family.
So what takeaway can we extract from this?
The lesson to be learned here is that the responsibility to lead an entire nation has just been placed on the shoulders of the young Solomon.
Solomon no longer has a father to look up to for wisdom and counsel.
So what can he do?
The answer is, of course, to turn to his Father in heaven
His Heavenly Father is far superior to his earthly father.
And that’s your lesson for today.
If God calls you to a certain mission.
Or ordains you for a certain office.
It doesn’t matter how old you are.
He will be with you…
And give you what you need to accomplish the plans He has laid out for you.
Ya feel me?
Alright, done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“If any of you lacks wisdom
you should ask God
who gives generously to all
without finding fault
and it will be given.”
— James 1:5
“I can do all things
through Him who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
“My grace is sufficient for you
my power is made perfect
in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Don’t let anyone look down on you
because you are young.”
— 1 Timothy 4:12
“It will not be you speaking
but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you.”
— Matthew 10:20
“He who began a good work
in you will carry it on
to completion.”
— Philippians 1:6
Too many people blame God for what happens to them without really considering that maybe it is not God abandoning them, but they have abandoned God.
I don’t believe God ever does anything bad to people, he just lets them alone.
The world is a bad place and when we do as God says, he provides a huppa, a covering, to protect us from the world.
When we decide to reject God, we choose to walk out from under that covering, and what happens to us isn’t from God actively attacking/punishing us (even though punish is the word used), he passively allows us to face the world alone.
When we have no one on earth to turn to, we always have God to protect us, to lead us, to help us by providing protection from the world.
We need to look up to God when there is good in our lives, and in a mirror when there is bad.
Good points.