We have an inbuilt respect for a person’s dying words. The last thing someone can communicate before they leave this world is important, because it clarifies who they are. Think about it: you have one chance to display what’s on your heart and mind when the end is nigh. Doesn’t that just display who you truly are?
Occasionally, you’ll even get some last words that make important points. Whether the person is intending to teach or just says something that strikes a chord with you, there’s a whole lot of potential for those final phrases to be of good value for instruction. If you want to point someone towards God, you absolutely can!
One exercise we can use when looking at a biblical text is to examine those final words of a person: in so doing, we gain valuable insight into them as people, as well as getting to hear their bits of advice. It’s practical and interesting, and hopefully is good to view.
Today we’ll glance at the words of David. The man of faith, as he lays dying, instructs his son Solomon on ways in which to rule the kingdom (and live a faithful life). What follows is three basic points about how you ought to live if you want to glorify God and be of best service to the people around you.
The Importance of Complete Obedience
“I am going the way of all the earth. So be strong, and prove yourself a man. Do your duty to the LORD your God…”
David starts out with a brief acknowledgement: He’s dying, just like everything on Earth does. Death is a natural part of life! As soon as you’re born, you’re put on a timer. You can’t exist and have an expectation that you’ll never die, not here. So, since you already know where you’re going, get prepared to face your death! Live a life that you’ll be able to look back on without regret.
It’s important to get your life squared away properly, doubly so since God is the true King. One thing we all have to realize is the reality of a day of Judgement. David has been a king, and he’s done pretty well, but he’s going to die and go before the true King to be judged according to his actions. No matter how high up you reach in this life, you’re never going to be out from under the rule of God! It’s good to recognize that fact when you’re young. Live your life however you’d like, but recognize the true King who rules over you and the fact that you’ll face Him one day. Your earthly position isn’t even close to God’s.
With that in mind, then, go and obey all of His commands. 1 Kings 2.3 is replete with this: “do your duty, walk in His ways, keep His statues, commandments, ordinances, testimonies, …the Law of Moses”. On every level, obey God’s commands. A half-hearted allegiance where you follow a couple rules but ignore some of the others isn’t going to cut it! No half-measures. Either you obey or you don’t! Bear in mind that one day you will be accountable for how you act, and act appropriately. Obey God. That’s David’s first point.
The Necessity of Personal Resolution
“Be strong, and prove yourself a man. Do your duty to the LORD your God…”
David is calling upon Solomon to lead. That means—and I shouldn’t really have to say this—that SOLOMON has to lead. Solomon won’t be a good king nor a faithful man if he isn’t personally motivated to get involved with the things of God. David’s challenge to his strength and his manhood is wrapped up with getting personally involved in the work of God: “YOU be strong, YOU prove to be a man, YOU follow the Lord YOUR God”.
Unfortunately, that’s not going to be an easy task. Getting involved with the things of God is going to require rejecting the things of man. As such, there are different groups you’re going to have to push off.
You’re going to fight yourself. We all have some desires that aren’t aligned properly with God’s. We’ve all got some vices that we try to justify. Those aren’t compatible with a life of faith! If you want to be completely faithful, you have to set yourself to do it. The Christian life is a life of self-denial: take responsibility for yourself, and seek God’s work instead of your own wants.
You’re going to fight people you know. We all have some coworkers, or some friends, or listen to some influences that aren’t entirely aligned with God’s will. If you’re going to live a life of faith, you’re going to have to face the reality that not everyone around you will agree! And that can cause some major conflict. What’s more important to you: obeying God, or pleasing man?
The next paragraph—1 Kings 2.5-9—addresses just this issue. David gives Solomon some specific, practical advice on how to clear out evil influences. The army captain and the false prophet will be destructive: get rid of them! But those sons of Barzillai (verse 7), they’re a blessing: hold them close. Be careful of what you let influence you: it can help you be faithful or reject God. If you want to be completely dedicated to Him, make sure you’re surrounding yourself with good influences.
The Assurance of Resulting Blessedness
“…so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the LORD may fulfill His promise which He spoke…”
Why obey? Why get personally involved? Because God has promised to bless those who do. Here, David references a promise made specifically to him and his descendants, but the general principle applies in a much broader way.
As Christians, we have a responsibility: be faithful to the Lord. We also have a promise as to why: God will save us in the end. And He’ll give us a connection with Him right now, which will help mitigate the troubles of life. And He’ll give us a family in the church, a group of people we can spend time with and gain encouragement from. And we can pray to Him. And… you get the point.
If you walk in the ways of God, God will give out blessings along the way. That’s one benefit of following the laws! That’s what David advises us to do.
Conclusion
David thought it most important to communicate these few things at the end of his life. Practical considerations for having a good relationship with God, thus securing a place in eternity. If that’s something you’re interested in, we’d love to help you connect with Him! Feel free to reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to help.
