Final Instructions

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

a prayer to open

My Lord, my God, show me your heart. Ground me in your presence.

Draw me near and hold me close.

As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:

“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the LORD your God, and follow all his ways. . . . If you do this, then the LORD will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’

“And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.

“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

“And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the LORD that I would not kill him. But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”

Then David died and was buried with his ancestors. . . . Solomon became king . . . and his kingdom was firmly established.

David’s final words to his son and heir to the throne, Solomon, are surprising for a man after God’s own heart. David revealed long-held grudges against Joab and Shimei, essentially instructing Solomon to have both killed for their actions years earlier. In fact, although David spared Shimei’s life twice, his inability or refusal to actually forgive Shimei when asked ultimately allowed vengeance to win out. Despite this disappointing evidence of David’s flaws, God still did what he promised he would: He established Solomon’s rule. In this, we see that God is faithful and will accomplish his purposes regardless of our unfaithfulness.

• What was your reaction to reading David’s final words and instructions to Solomon?
• When in your life have you strayed from God’s ways? How did you experience his faithfulness during that time?
• When have you been disappointed by the flaws or failures of someone you respect? What impact did your disappointment in that person have on you? How has that disappointment been resolved?

Father, thank you for your faithfulness even in the midst of my waywardness. Thank you for the reminder that David was human and flawed and that you loved him and kept your promises to him even so. Thank you that because of my faith in Jesus, you see me as righteous and pure. Help me empathize with the flaws and failures of others and see them as you do instead of with eyes of condemnation. Amen.