1 Kings 2:1-4 
When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 
   “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’” (NIV)

When David’s time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, “I’m about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong. Show what you’re made of! Do what GOD tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses: then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then GOD will confirm what he promised me when he said, ‘If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you’ll always have a successor on Israel’s throne.'” (The Message)

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King David had a way with words. 

He also had a way with war and away with women. But let’s not lose focus here. Let’s examine the wisdom he imparted to Solomon. Take a look at this list of pithy and powerful instructions. Since The Message paraphrase is more colorful, we’ll use its wording. 

* Be strong. 
* Show what you’re made of 
* Do what GOD tells you. 
* Walk in the paths he shows you. 
* Follow the life map absolutely. 
* Keep an eye out for the signposts. 
* Keep an eye out for his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses. 

That would make a pretty good checklist to start the day with, wouldn’t it? It would also provide a nice daily review each evening. 

A few ponderings might be in order. For example, what does it mean to be strong? 

Physical strength comes to mind. Beginning the day with good health habits is an important way to stay strong throughout a person’s life. Getting plenty of sleep is an essential starting place. Following the pattern of the days of creation in Genesis chapter 1, we should work from a place of rest, rather than resting from our work. 

A full glass of water first thing in the morning is an essential health habit. This is important because the time we’re asleep is the longest stretch during a day when we go without liquid refreshment. The elixir of heaven, called Dark Roast Coffee, should come an hour to an hour and a half after we have awakened. 

There’s a whole lot of science behind that last sentence. You can look it up. It’s truth that makes me so sad. And yet, even an old dog like me can learn this new trick and benefit from it. Also, dark roast coffee is not as healthy as medium roast coffee. This may be the saddest truth yet. The essential minerals that make coffee so good for you often get roasted away in our more delightful dark roast blends. 

And yes, breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. Your mom was right. I will feast soon on overnight oats, whole grain of course, with blueberries, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and cinnamon. So be strong! 

“Show what you’re made of,” David told Solomon. Solomon might not have fully and correctly understood Dear Old Dad at this point. His extravagance was impressive. It was all so excessive. Solomon showed what he was made of in how he built up Jerusalem and in how he provided for and prepared for so many eventualities throughout Israel. 

“Do what God tells you” is always, always, always the right thing to do. Solomon started well; then he had a long, unfortunate lapse of judgments. If the book of Ecclesiastes is really a collection of Solomon’s last words of wisdom, it sounds like he eventually learned his lessons. Anyone who has learned those lessons gets to the end of life and realizes there are some lessons we should leave unlearned. 

“Do what God tells you.” This is such important advice that David amplifies it. He adds, “Walk in the paths he shows you,” “Follow the life map absolutely,” “Keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses.”  

To do what God tells you, you need to hear what God has to say. This means reading the Bible. It also means memorizing Bible verses and longer passages. It means acknowledging God’s presence with you everywhere you go and in everything you do. It means leaning in to listen to GOD’s voice with an ever-ready intent to obey. 

These are good words for the beginning, middle, and end of our days. These are good words for the beginning, middle, and end of our years. True success in life depends on how we implement the truths God gives here through King David. 

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I will walk with GOD morning, noon, and night. 

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Our Father, thank you for these words of wisdom from one king to another. Empower us to live royal lives that lean in to listen to whatever you have to say, wholeheartedly obey all that you command, and live lives that bless others. Amen.