The book of 1 Kings begins with the end of King David’s life. He has named his son, Solomon, as his successor. With Solomon taking over the kingdom, David has some last words of wisdom to pass down to his son. In a king’s last words to his son, we find six statements that every father (and mother) should desire to teach their son.
A King’s Last Words to His Son: Be strong.
David knew that ruling a kingdom, especially the kingdom of God’s chosen people, was not an easy task. In fact, from the time Samuel anointed David king over Saul, David had to fight for the kingship. His own son, Absalom attempted to take the kingdom from him. He wanted Solomon to be a strong leader – but one who had a heart to follow God. The power that ruling can bring can either be used for good or bad and David desired Solomon to be a good king who could stand up for the kingdom and keep the Israelites following God. So Solomon needed to be strong defend the kingdom, but he also needed to be strong in the Lord.
A King’s Last Words to His Son: Prove yourself a man.
Solomon was still a young man. He had not fought the battles that David had fought. He still had lots to learn. Solomon was not the warrior that Absalom and Adonijah was. Despite the fact that David had already promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king, David does not stop Adonijah from trying to take the throne. Through the prophet Nathan, God had to remind David that God had chosen Solomon to rule next. So David wanted his son to “prove himself a man.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” David wanted Solomon to be courageous for God and serve Him with boldness and zeal.
A King’s Last Words to His Son: Keep the charge of the Lord.
God had called Solomon to be the next king, one that came with huge responsibility. David wanted Solomon to stay true to his calling. To do so would require that Solomon stay close to God.
A King’s Last Words to His Son: Walk in His ways.
Israel’s biggest struggle had always been following what everyone else was doing and worshiping false Gods. David wanted Solomon to follow the ways of God, to worship Him only and to lead Israel to do the same. To do so would require Solomon to saturate every part of his life with the principles of God’s Word.
A King’s Last Words to His Son: To keep God’s statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies.
David had learned the hard way what stepping out of God’s commands could cost. He wanted His son to remember every command and law of God, as well as the judgments God had rendered when Israel stepped out of God’s will. He also wanted Solomon to remember all the mighty things God had done for Israel and to place his faith and trust in the God that had provided and protected the nation.
A King’s Last Words to His Son: That you may prosper in whatever you do and wherever you go.
David knew the importance of God’s blessing and that the way to receive His blessing was to stay within His will by walking in obedience to all God instructed. God’s blessing is a supernatural, wonderful, and unlimited goodness given only by God. Psalm 1:2 says, “his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.”
Oh, that we, as parents, would teach our sons these same principles. How different would our world be? However, in order to teach it, we must first live it our as an example to be followed.
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
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Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
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Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
One Year Bible Reading Plan
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The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.
Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
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This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:
God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice
Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:
God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice
Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.
Jesus is our Peace 
Fight on my knees 
Godfidence 
Walk by faith 
I’m only talking to Jesus today 
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God 
2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Grace wins 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Prayer Warrior 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Don’t Worry 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
All Things New 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
Names of God 
All things are possible 
Run with perseverance 
Blessings head to toe-hearts 
Revive us again, Lord 
Isaiah 41:13 
Blessings head to toe – roses 
Jeremiah 29:11 
Blessings head to toe 
Be Still 
Blessings head to toe – floral 
God’s starting point
Canvas art and posters are available in the Teespring store. Many of our Christian Tees are also available at Teespring.
To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints
Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube
You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
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