“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT)

God promised David that his kingdom would last forever. That was a reference to Jesus, who, centuries later, not only descended from David but also was closely identified with him. People called Him “Son of David.”

God also promised that He would bless David’s son, who would also succeed him as king. It would be that son who finally built the temple that David wanted to build. That son would continue the lineage of David that would eventually produce Jesus.

That son was Solomon, the second child born to David and Bathsheba. (Their first child died as a consequence of their adulterous affair.) God promised to bless Solomon and treat him as a son.

According to 1 Kings 3, when Solomon became king, God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (NIV). Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could be the ruler God wanted him to be. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that He gave him wisdom—and then threw in wealth and honor. God equipped David’s son to carry on his father’s legacy and make a name for himself.

King Saul was dead. That meant David was the only living human who knew the challenges Solomon would face as king. And before he died, he offered Solomon some final words of advice. You don’t have to be next in line to the throne of Israel to benefit from David’s hard-earned wisdom. You can find his advice in 1 Chronicles 29 (and in the passage above).

Here are three starting points. One, develop an intimate relationship with God. Knowing about God from stories in the Bible or other people’s perspectives isn’t the same as knowing Him personally. You develop an intimate relationship with God by spending time in His presence, praying, and listening. And by meditating on His Word, asking Him to reveal Himself through His promises and commands. And by prioritizing His will. Isn’t that what the Christian life is all about: a deep friendship with God?

Two, serve God with a whole heart and a willing mind. The better you know God, the more you’ll want to serve Him. Serving God isn’t drudgery; it’s not a duty. It’s a delight and a privilege, no matter what form that service takes. Remember, God’s plan for you is better than your plan for yourself.

Three, put the Lord first in your life, and everything else will find its proper balance. That’s the key to effective prayer: aligning yourself with God’s will. Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT).

He also said, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14 nlt). He didn’t say, “You are my friends if you do the things that you personally agree with.” God has told us in His Word how to live. It is not for us to pick and choose sections of the Bible we like and toss the rest aside.

If God tells you to do something, He says it for good reason, and you need to obey Him. If God says not to do something, He also says it for good reason. Even if you don’t understand it, obey Him.

Reflection question: How can you tell when you’re putting the Lord first in your life?

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