David and Solomon (5) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.
1 Chronicles 29:18–19 NKJV

David and Solomon (5)
Very close to the end of His life, David assembled at Jerusalem all the leading men and officials of Israel. He rose to his feet to address them for the last time. His heart was full as he reviewed the Lord’s goodness in choosing him to be their king, and in choosing Solomon to build the temple as “a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God” (1 Chr. 28:2), for which he himself had made abundant preparation. He publicly introduced Solomon his son to Israel’s leaders as the one God had selected to undertake this tremendous project.

As Solomon was growing up, David had repeatedly spoken to him of the grand and glorious task for which God had chosen him: to build a magnificent temple for Jehovah. Now he encouraged him to begin and publicly gave him in writing “the plans for all that he had by the Spirit” (v. 12) and a summary of the materials he had made ready. The leaders and officers added to this, and David thankfully blessed the Lord before all the assembly.

As our children are growing up, do we remind them of God’s will for their lives? We may not know in precise detail what career or occupation God may be calling them to, as David by revelation knew of Solomon. But we know from the Bible what God is looking for in His children, and we should always set these things before our children as goals and objectives. As they mature, it is good to face them with God’s desires more openly, giving counsel and assistance without pushing. May we look to the Lord to help us!

-- Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.