The Elements Of Faith Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• There are times when we have a tendency to take stock of what is important to us in life.

• The life of King David was a very interesting colorful life. David did a lot rising from being a simple shepherd boy to becoming King of Israel.

• There were times in his life when one would have to wonder if his faith was really important to him. Times like the affair with Bathsheba and all the events that happened afterwards.

• No matter what happened in the lifetime of David, God always knew his heart.

• God said as much in 1 Samuel 13:14 concerning David.

• With all his flaws, David loved God.

• Sometimes we may reflect on what is important in life when we near the end of our own life.

• As we go through that exercise, many times we will want to share what we see as important to the people we love.

• Now as we look at our Passage in 1 Kings 2, we see that David is very near to the end of his life.

• David in the closing moments of his life has his son Solomon brought to Him.

• It is interesting how verse one speaks of what was about to happen.

• SLIDE #2

• 1 Kings 2:1 (ESV) When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

• Here we have the King about ready to die, but he is still acting like a King. As he addresses his son, we are told he COMMANDED Solomon his son.

• Some translations use the word INSTRUCT, but COMMAND is used with this Hebrew word over 500 times in the KJV.

• FYI. Solomon is a wonderful example of how God can take even a sinful act and use it for something good. Bathsheba was Solomon’s mother.

• David who had a lot of enemies even within his own household wanted to leave Solomon with instructions that would help keep Solomon from making the same mistakes David did in life.

• David is going to give Solomon some elements of faith that will help keep in the will of God.

• If we look at the command that David shares with his son, we can absorb some great counsel pertaining to the elements of faith.

• Ultimately what would make Solomon a successful King and what would allow him to be truly successful in life would be his faith.

• Today let’s listen in as David shares his counsel with his son.

• SLIDE #3

• Let’s look at verse 2.

• 1 Kings 2:2 (ESV) “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man,

• SLIDE #4

SERMON

I. A faithful person will exhibit courage.

• As David begins the conversation he begins by stating what was obvious, his time was short.

• The phrase “go the way of the earth” was the same phrase that Joshua used at the end of his life.

• SLIDE #5

• Joshua 23:14 (ESV) “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

• David falls in the realm of what Joshua says it is also similar to what Moses and Jacob say at the end of their life.

• The final words of a father to a son are significant and special especially when there is a kingdom to run and God is involved.

• David starts his command to Solomon with the charge to be strong and show yourself a man.

• David was a soldier, he knows anytime you go to battle you have to be strong. You have to be willing to exhibit courage.

• At the beginning of Joshua’s leadership he is encouraged in the same manner.

• Paul uses a similar thought in 1 Corinthians 16:13

• SLIDE #6

• 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV) Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

• Solomon was a young man; David wanted him to know it would take great courage to be the man of God he needed to be.

• This charge is so important because Solomon would only be strong by ordering his life by God’s commands.

• Solomon must be committed to God’s will; he must exhibit courage in the face of difficulties or in the face of what looks like insurmountable odds.

• This same expression was used by the Philistines as they encouraged one another in their battle against a seemingly insurmountable foe.