This week, let’s look at the final days of King David. King David said and did a lot of things during his life. In fact, 66 chapters of the Bible are dedicated to his life. He is mentioned 1,011 times in the Bible, second only to Jesus. Obviously, God wanted us to know something about this man! At 70 years old, David leaves his son Solomon with some advice right before he dies.
1- If you only had 24 hours to live, what would you do? Who would you talk to? Who would you spend time with? What would you tell them?
King David’s last few pieces of advice to his son (and future King) are found in 1 Kings 2:1-4 and 1 Chronicles 28:9-10.
Read 1 Kings 2:1-4 and 1 Chronicles 28:9-10.
2- King David wants to clearly define “success” for his family. How would you define “success” in life?
In his last conversation with his son Solomon, King David shared 6 challenges with his son that would define his legacy. The first challenge is to LOOK UP. King David wanted his son to SEEK, KNOW, and FOLLOW God’s heart. He wanted him to look to God not only when he needed help, but on a daily basis for wisdom and guidance. All of us are seeking, learning, and following someone or something in this life.
Read: 1 Kings 3:1-15
3- Did King Solomon take his dad’s advice? What happened to King Solomon’s life when he chose to LOOK UP and seek wisdom from God first?
The second challenge King David gave to Solomon was to OWN UP. David had to learn the hard way what the consequences were for not being open and honest with your mistakes. David lost 2 sons as a result of his sin and wrecked his Kingdom for a season for not taking responsibility for his actions.
3- When you do something wrong, how do you usually respond? Do you cover up for them? Dismiss them? Downplay them? Compare yourself to others to make yourself feel and look better? What are the dangers for not dealing with the sin in your life?
The third challenge to the future King is to OPEN UP. We all have a choice to open up our lives to others or live a life that is all about ourselves. We can live open-handed or close-fisted.
READ: Psalm 112:1-6
When you attend a funeral or read an obituary, you learn a lot about how a person will be remembered. Most people are forgotten within weeks of their death, except by immediate family members. However, there are some things that you can do with your life now that will stand the test of time.
4- What does King David say in the Psalms will last long after you die? Have you done anything with your life to be generous to others that will remain even after you pass away?
A fourth challenge from King David is to GIVE UP. David had to learn how to not hold grudges. His Father forgot about him (1 Sam. 10), his brothers made fun of him (1 Sam. 17:28), Goliath mocked him (1 Sam. 17:43), and Saul tried to kill him (1 Sam. 18:10-11). If anyone had a reason to hold a grudge, it was David. Yet David knew that God’s purpose and plan for his life would never come to fruition if he didn’t learn how to forgive and avoid resentment and bitterness.
5- When was the last time someone did you wrong, and you struggled to get over it, offer forgiveness, and move on? Do you laugh when certain people around you experience failure and heartbreak (may be a sign of bitterness towards them over past actions)?
Read: 1 Kings 1:5-27
The fifth challenge to young Solomon was to CIRCLE UP. Look at the long line of names and relationships that David built over the years in the verses you just read. David knew that having the right people around him would set him up for success, and having the wrong people surrounding him would result in failure.
6- How do you choose your relationships? Are you looking for people that are going to make you better and push you towards a stronger relationship with Jesus? Or do you simply surround yourself with co-workers or people that you have things in common with? Your crew determines your view, so choose wisely! Your future depends on it.
Read 1 Chronicles 28:10 and 1 Kings 2:2.
The last challenge from King David to his son Solomon was to GROW UP. God has a purpose and a plan for your life. Stop making excuses, stop blaming others for a lack of progress and success, and man (or woman) up! Be courageous. Take risks. Follow Jesus no matter what. Know that the Lord has chosen you for something special, and don’t stop until you’ve been faithful and obedient.
Application/Challenge:
1- Your life is a relay race, and one day you will pass something on to the next generation.
2- Success is found in knowing, seeking, and following God.
3- Be quick to repent and give grace to others.
4- A living is what you earn, but a life is what you give.
5- The people you surround yourself with determine your future.
6- Pour all that you have into others. Make that your legacy.
Daily Bible Reading (Monday-Saturday):
Sunday – 1 Kings 1:28-2:12
Monday – 1 Chronicles 28:1-10
Tuesday – Psalm 112
Wednesday – 1 Chronicles 29:21-30
Thursday – 1 Kings 3:1-15
Friday – Acts 2:25-41
Saturday – Psalm 51 (in prep for the sermon tomorrow)
5 Question Bible Study (to answer every day in response to the Daily Bible Reading):
a- What idea particularly strikes me from this text (note which verses it comes from).
b- What question does this text raise in my mind—and how would this text answer it?
c- What about Jesus—his character and/or redemption—relates to this text?
d- What action must I take as a result of this text? Be concrete and specific.
e- With whom will I share what I learned from this text?
SPEC for the Text
Sin to avoid
Promise to claim
Example to Follow
Command to Obey
“I Will” Statement…
-Based on this text, what is one specific, measurable thing you will do this week to live it out?
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