Introduction: In this passage of scripture, we see Solomon’s request to God. However, in these verses we see how Solomon refers to God about his father David. How did Solomon know this of his father David? Solomon saw, heard, and lived with his father.
Our children are always watching what we do, and they pick up the things we do and even become those things. Church should complement the things already taught at home (something that is added to the things they already know).
Because our children know if the faith of their parents is genuine, the children pick up those good attributes, and become those things. Children know if the faith of their parents is only in church, or if it’s lived out everywhere else. Solomon saw God real in their home, Solomon saw that his father was true to his faith. Verse 6 shows us Solomon’s testimony regarding his father David.
Fathers, Can your children say that YOU:
- Walk before God in Truth– I Kings 3:6 “according as he walked before thee in truth”. David Speaks to Solomon- I Kings 2:1-4- This is what David told Salomon near the end of his life. David had already experienced the prosperity and blessings of God in his life, and it was because he walked in the ways of God and kept the statutes, commandments, and judgments of God. David knew that walking in truth before God was the best thing to do. Truth Should be in Your Inward Parts- Psalm 51:6- “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inwardparts”. In the inside dwells the real you. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”. Truth Should Guide You– John 14:16-17- the Holy Spirit inside the Believer. John 16:12-13 “he will guide you into all truth”. Truth Should be Your Walk- 3 John 1:4- “of the truth that is in thee” Like David said, truth is something that should dwell on the inside of a person. When truth is in you, it will guide you, then you have the option to walk in truth or not. David did.
- Walk before God in Righteousness– I Kings 3:6 “and in righteousness”
-I Kings 15:5 “Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD”. Solomon saw his father David walking before God in Righteousness. Can our children see this in us?
It Brings Glory and Praise to God- Philippians 1:9-11 “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God”. We do it to bring glory and praise to God.
It Keeps us Looking For Jesus- Titus 2:11-14- “vs 13 Looking for that blessed hope”. God wants us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and to live righteously in this present world so that we can look for Jesus and not to the world.
It’s the Way of life and Blessing- II Timothy 2:20-22 “but follow righteousness”. In following righteousness, there is life and blessing. There’s life- Proverbs 12:28 “In the way of righteousness is life” There’s blessing- Psalm 106:3 “Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.”
III. Walk before God in Uprightness– I Kings 3:6 “and in uprightness of heart” (Good, ethical, just, honest, moral). Psalm 18:20-24– David walked uprightly according to what God SAW in him. Walk uprightly and get good Things- Psalm 84:11- “the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly”. Not only is God pleased with us walking in uprightness, but according to this verse, God doesn’t withhold any good thing from those that walk uprightly.
IV. Walk in Integrity of Heart– I Kings 9:1-4 “in integrity of heart”. God told Solomon that his father David walked in integrity of heart. Solomon didn’t deny it or correct God. In other words, Solomon was agreeing with God about it. Solomon saw that David his father walked in the integrity of his heart. Solomon was blessed because of David- I Kings 3:6 “and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, and thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.” Because David walked in integrity of heart, his son was blessed by God. (Purity; Incorruptness; Uprightness; Honesty). Proverbs 1:1 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel”. Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him”. Solomon experienced the blessings of God because of his father David. Like David, when we walk in Integrity, our children are blessed. I want my children to be blessed. Do You?
Conclusion: These are the things that Solomon saw in his father David. This wasn’t about the sin of David and Bathsheba, or Uriah, but about how there was a change in David, and Solomon saw the “new and improved” David. If your children cannot say these things of you as a father, make the change in your life.
What do you children say of you? Is it going to be the way it used to be or the way it’s always been? Or is it going to be God’s way. Choose God’s way, and you will be training your children to be and to do what God says. It’s possible and necessary that we walk in the ways of God.
Anchor Baptist Church 