ESOCS Devotional 14 May 2026 – A Father’s Solemn Instructions
MEMORY VERSE: “If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise He made to me. He told me, ‘if your descendants live as they should and follow Me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’” 1 Kings 2:4 NLT
TEXT: 1 KINGS 2:1-15
Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
5 “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. 6 Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
8 “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”
10 So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. 11 The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. 12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.
13 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?”
And he said, “Peaceably.” 14 Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.”
And she said, “Say it.”
15 Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord.
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David’s major concern was that Solomon live in obedience to the Will of God. Hence, this fervent exhortation. Absolutely, this passionate charge bothered on clear-cut instructions and guidelines that would direct one in holy living (see Exodus 30:21; Leviticus 10:13-15). Generally speaking, solemn instructions are serious formal directives, carrying strong moral impact or spiritual weight. They are often imbued with a sense of importance and/or exigency.
In Christianity, solemn instructions can refer to specific directives given by religious leaders, like those given to the seventy disciples in Luke 10:3-16, or to the instructions for conducting a solemn assembly as descried in Leviticus 23:24-36. Moreover, these instructions often highlight the importance of humility, seeking God’s face, and prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns. On assuming public office, a solemn oath or instructions are formal promises to uphold the duties and responsibilities of the position, with an invocation of spiritual or moral consequences for failure to comply. In religious and legal traditions, solemn vows and covenants, are binding agreements with serious implications for those who make them. A typical example will be God’s covenant with Abraham, (Genesis 15).
As expressed in our text, David had left some judgment undone during his reign. In his words, he instructed Solomon to carry out these left over duties that time would not permit him to do. In likewise manner, our Lord Jesus left series of instructions to believers and disciples through His teachings in the Gospel Books. Those who would carry out these charges, and continue in this ministry of reconciliation will inherit the Kingdom of God, (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Reflections
- When we walk with the Lord, and in the light of His words, His glory shines on us.
Prayer
- Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to follow.
Further Reading: Exodus 14:5-31; John 20:11-23; Mark 16:14-20
ESOCS Devotional 14 May 2026
