Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

Final Instructions from a Man of God to His Son
1 Chronicles 28: 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it." (NKJV)

 

There comes a time in the life of a man, or woman, when they give their final instructions to their children. The words are carefully selected because of their supreme importance. The words come from deep within the heart, from a place that served as a foundation for that person’s life. 

In this passage, King David is giving his final instructions to Solomon, his son. These instructions are the final instructions from David to Solomon recorded in the Bible. David was seventy years old when he died. 

David begins by saying “in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God” (v.8a). He wants Solomon to understand the importance of his charge to him. David wants Solomon to understand that there are many witnesses to this event: the nation of Israel, the assembly of officials, and, most importantly, God Himself. 

David gave three instructions to his son, one each in verses eight, nine and ten. His first instruction was to obey God (v. 8b). Solomon was to know and obey all the commands of God as found in scripture. We show our love for God by obeying Him and David knew that obedience would be of the utmost importance to God. David reminded Solomon that blessing comes as a result of obedience. The blessing in this case would be that his inheritance, the land of Israel, would remain in the hands of Solomon and his family forever (v. 8c). 

David’s second instruction to Solomon was to serve God “with a loyal heart and with a willing mind” (v. 9a).  Being loyal to God and willing to follow Him was then, and always will be, difficult. It is not an easy road to travel against the tide of fallen humanity, but it is the right road. God knows our hearts, and our intentions (v. 9b). He knows when we are following and when we are just pretending (v. 9c). 

David then said “If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever” (v. 9d). These were the words David had received from God, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The New Testament message of Jesus when He came to earth, and the message today, is the same. If you forsake God, He will forsake you and leave you to your own devices. 

David’s final instruction to Solomon was “Be strong and do it” (v. 10). Thus, the word of God says “just do it”, the same phrase as the old Nike commercial. This was the phrase I heard from God that finally pushed me into the ministry. Nothing happens until you just decide to “do it”. Once you take the first step, God then starts opening doors. 

David was specifically referring to building the Temple. God did not allow David to build His Temple because David was the warrior king and had shed blood. Solomon was to reign in peace time and was the builder king. He built Israel into a great and prosperous nation. 

However, this instruction to Solomon did not apply only to building the Temple. David wanted Solomon to be a strong leader of the people and to have a strong work ethic. 

So David’s charge was to obey God, serve God, and be strong and actually do the work. This would seem to be the charge that many men and women of God would want to leave their own children. It is my charge to my children.