Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom of David -Part 6
David’s Desire for Wisdom for His Son
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“Only the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.”
(1 Chronicles 22:12) NASB 95
The passage above is the instruction given by David to his son, Solomon, to prepare him to succeed him as king. As we have seen in the prior weeks, David recognized the need for the fear of the Lord, total dependence on Him, and wisdom from God to lead the nation of Israel. The book of First Chronicles, chapter 22, recounts the extended account of David’s instruction to Solomon. These instructions were given when Solomon was yet a young boy or very young man (I Kings 3;7; I Chron 29:1) and David recognized that he had to provide instructions before his death: “David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it.” So David made ample preparations before his death.” (Ch 22:5). The details of his preparations included preparing expert stonecutters, masons, carpenters and metalworkers, as well as construction materials: iron, bronze, cedar logs (22:2-4,15). He had also amassed silver and gold in large quantities from his prior wars to be used in the temple. (22:14).
David’s instructions to Solomon included four elements:
- The Charge to Build a House of the Lord (I Chron. 22:6-7) – David told Solomon that it was his intention (He desired, thought, and planned) to build a dwelling place (Tabernacle, temple) to be the House of the Lord. However, he was passing the assignment on to his son. Why?
- The Lord’s Prohibition to David (22:8) – The Lord spoke to David at some point to tell him, “You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood” (Also see I Chron 28:3). David was a man of war and conquest; his son would be a king of peace, appropriate to build the House of God.
- Solomon to be a King of Peace (22:9-10)- The Lord further told David that he would have a son and 1) The Lord will give him rest from Israel’s enemies that David had fought, 2) He would be named Solomon (Hebrew name שְׁלֹמֹה (Shelomo), derived from שָׁלוֹם (shalom)—meaning peaceful), 3) He would build a house for the Lord (the temple), 4) He will have a son-father relationship to the Lord, and 5) The Lord will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.
- David’s fatherly charge to Solomon (22:11-13) – Finally David’s charge to Solomon entrusted his son with a solemn responsibility, or duty to perform his assignment. David said, “Now, my son, the LORD be with you that you may be successful and build the house of the LORD your God just as He has spoken concerning you. Only the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.” (22:11-12) David was sure to include Solomon’s need for wisdom characterized by Godly discretion and understanding. And, this was not lost on his son, who later in life wrote the Proverbs, including this personification of wisdom, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and” (Proverbs 8:12).
The result? David finally reminded Solomon that he would prosper, “…. if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.” (1 Chron. 22:13) Though these instructions were given to Solomon, the lesson we can learn in our lives is to seek the wisdom that provides prudence, knowledge, and discretion. James reminds us we can request this kind of Godly wisdom (James 1:5), and David would remind us to be strong and courageous!