No matter how great the man, even if he is a man after God’s own heart and a mighty leader, he is here for a limited time. Only the LORD is unchanging and eternal. In Him, we should put our trust rather than mortal men. Similarly, we should not put our whole focus into our own pursuits but rather the pursuits of God.
3Do not trust in noblemen, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. 4His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.
David made a very deliberate effort to prepare Solomon to be king and prepare the nation to accept him. David made significant preparations for the mission God had chosen for Solomon, to build a temple. David put his focus and efforts toward glorifying God and put himself secondary. He did not get prideful when he was told not to build the temple himself. He did not hold on to power until he died. He prepared his son and handed over the keys to the kingdom to help ensure the work of God on the temple would continue.
Solomon Again Made King
And they made Solomon the son of David king a second time, and they anointed him as ruler for the LORD and Zadok as priest. 23Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father; and he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 24All the officials, the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David pledged allegiance to King Solomon. 25The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him royal majesty which had not been on any king before him in Israel.
26Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27The period which he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years and in Jerusalem thirty-three years.
Death of David
28Then he died in a ripe old age, full of days, riches and honor; and his son Solomon reigned in his place. 29Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer, 30with all his reign, his power, and the circumstances which came on him, on Israel, and on all the kingdoms of the lands.
I see at least two parallels for many of us.
- Do we put our focus and efforts into the plans of God, or the plans of men (including our own)?
- Are we preparing others to continue God’s work after we are gone?
I would encourage each of us to prayerfully reflect on these questions and ask the Spirit to enlighten us as to any changes that should be made in our lives.
Father, please help me to be unselfish and focused on Your plans rather than the plans of men or even my own plans. Your plans are different than mine, but Yours are the ones that will endure and have lasting value. Your plans will bring glory to Your name rather than my own. Help me to truly prepare my children to follow You and whatever plans You have for them. Help me to act now to prepare them for those plans as You reveal them to us. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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