Be Strong; Show Thyself a Man

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: I Kings 2:1-4
Psalters: 226, 242, 108, 271
Confession of Faith, Preparatory
  1. The idea.
    1. This chapter records the charge David gave to Solomon a short while before his death.
    2. Be strong and not discouraged at my death.
      1. The death of a leader like Moses or David (being left alone) is the occasion for fear and discouragement.
      2. Inner, spiritual strength is found in taking heart and being of good courage.
    3. Show thyself a man, i.e., not a child spiritually.
  2. How be strong and show thyself a man?
    1. The activity.
      1. “Keep the charge” is to watch the watch of Jehovah thy God.
      2. To “walk in His ways” refers to what God has clearly revealed, for they are all spelled out.
    2. The action.
      1. The exercise of royal power is not to be arbitrary, for the king is not a law unto himself.
      2. God’s statutes, commandments and judgments, i.e., God’s laws, ceremonial, moral, and judicial.
      3. God’s testimonies, for God’s laws testify of His mind and declare what He would have done and observed.
  3. The fruit.
    1. “That thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest,” i.e., to have a prosperous and happy reign (cf. Deut. 29:9).
    2. That God may continue His word of promise concerning David’s children sitting continually on his throne (cf. Deut. 9:5).