“FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM”
(The Leader’s Agenda)
I KINGS 2:1-4
David could have referred to many different subjects at the end of his life but his topic was God. There is no doubt in my mind that had he spoke about any other subject other than the Lord the Holy Spirit would have penned that as well. In fact, if you continue reading this chapter there are some things recorded that David told Solomon that are certainly not exemplary death bed requests.
By the conclusion of his life, he had discovered what was most important. He knew the wisest and most important thing he could leave his son was a charge to love God, walk with God and to make God’s agenda his agenda. We are blessed to look inside this closed door intimate meeting between a father and son and from one leader to another as he shares the wisdom of a lifetime. Yet, these profound words of wisdom are life changing leadership principles of truth for every and all leaders to follow.
He gives these final words of wisdom knowing what Solomon would have to face leading a nation, being a husband, dad, and leading the people to construct the temple of God. He knew he needed God more than anything else in life.
There are three aspects of God’s agenda that David reminds every leader to follow.
The wisest thing a leader will ever do is God’s agenda.
I. FIND (Purpose Aspect) 2:2 “I go the way of all the earth”
“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:” (Acts 13:36)
There are at least three essential elements for finding God’s agenda
A. Personal Relationship with God 2:3 “thy God”
“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” (I Samuel 13:14)
“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” (Acts 13:22)
B. Prayerful request to God 2:3 “The charge of the Lord”
Keep in mind it is His agenda; therefore, you must get it from Him.
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” (Colossians 1:9)
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:16-18)
C. Progressive Revelation from God 2:3 “ways”
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (I Corinthians 1:9-10)
II. FOLLOW (Priority Aspect) 2:3 “Keep the charge of the Lord thy God to walk in his ways”
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10:27)
“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:26)
“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:22)
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;” (Ephesians 5:1)
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21)
You have to be careful not to become satisfied with your accomplishments but rather with the God of your accomplishments.
What are the ingredients that will lead to us successfully following Jesus?
A. Communion - Abiding
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Heb 13:21)
B. Change - Self-denial
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:7-8)
C. Commitment - Passion
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” (Philippians 3:13-15)
D. Concentration - Focus
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
E. Confirmation - assurance
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:15)
F. Consistency - perseverance
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)
III. FULFILL (Productive Aspect) 2:3 “that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest”
If God’s agenda becomes the rule of your life, what are the positive things you can expect?
A. Successful endeavors 2:3 “That thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and wherever thou turnest thyself,”
B. Significant existence 2:3 “In all that thou doest”
C. Supernatural Blessings 2:4 “That the Lord may continue his word”
WORD STUDY FOR I KINGS 2:3
1. WALK - 03212 yalak {yaw-lak’}
1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away, manner of life (fig.), to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk.
2. WAYS - 01870 derek {deh’-rek}
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner, road, way, path, journey, direction, manner, habit, way, of course of life (fig.), of moral character (fig.)
3. KEEP - 08104 shamar {shaw-mar’}
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed, have charge of, keep watch and ward, protect, save, watch, watchman (participle), to watch for, wait for, watch, retain, treasure up (in memory), restrain, perform (vow), preserve, protect, reserve, take heed, take care, beware, to keep oneself, refrain.
4. STATUTES - 02708 chuqqah {khook-kaw’}
1) statute, ordinance, limit, enactment, something prescribed.
5. COMMANDMENTS - 04687 mitsvah {mits-vaw’}
1) commandment (of code of wisdom)
6. JUDGMENTS - 04941 mishpat {mish-pawt’}
1) judgment, justice, ordinance, act of deciding a case, process, procedure, litigation (before judges), case, cause (presented for judgment), sentence, decision (of judgment), decision, proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan, order, discretion 2, sentence 2.
7. TESTIMONIES - 05715 `eduwth {ay-dooth’}
AV - testimony 55, witness 4; 59, 1) testimony
8. PROSPER - 07919 sakal {saw-kal’}
1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper, to look at or upon, have insight, to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent, to have insight, have comprehension, , have success.
