A young man is not necessarily immature and an older man automatically mature. I’m certain we’ve all known young people who are incredibly capable emotionally, socially, and mentally and older folks who are nothing more than wrinkled children—emotionally, socially and mentally adolescent.  The former is something to behold whereas the latter something that causes us to shutter.

This blog is the third in a short series about a young man that had it all.  A man that was catapulted to the top of society.  And that young man was named Solomon.  In the Bible, we find his story in what is commonly called the Old Testament or the first “half” (really nearly 2/3rds) of the Bible.  He was the son of Israel’s king, David.  David was a man who loved his God and loved the people he served.  David’s son, Solomon, was next to be king and that appointment was near!

As the king lay dying he called for his son to come to his side.  It was there that David gave Solomon this charge:

“I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
                                                                                          (1 Kings 2:2-4)

In three verses, David gives Solomon three commands with two promises.  The commands all have to do with Solomon’s attention to himself and to God’s Word.  The apostle Paul told his young protege, Timothy, something similar in the New Testament:

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
                                                                                        (1 Timothy 4:16)

Notice the importance placed on personal evaluation and development.  As well, there is equal emphasis on God’s words.  Notice the description of God’s Word to His people by David: charge, ways, statutes, commandments, rules, testimonies and law.  Paul sums God’s truth up with “the teaching.”  But there is this dual emphasis on personal character and maturity and obeying God’s words. 

David could have said much about leading a nation with close attention being paid to budgets and military and terrorist activity and political savvy.  In fact, David did comment on these things, but without calling attention to them specifically.  Rather, he summoned up a king’s responsibility in terms of obedience to the King of kings and personal growth. 

David wants Solomon to know that nothing trumps dependence on God, humble obedience to His Word, and individual wisdom and maturity.  Such living leads to personal success and to the deliverance of the people you lead.  Wow!  What clear statements of responsibility!  What wonderful promises of blessing!

Let’s remember that while the soon-to-be king Solomon and the young pastor Timothy had their specific roles in history, the responsibility we who are Christ followers has not changed.  Each of us needs to pay close attention to our personal growth and development.  And the best, and I would suggest the only way to do this is by dependence upon God and obedience to His Word.

We’ll keep watching how Solomon does in the days ahead!