By Ife J. Ibitayo
With the United States’ election saga nearing its climactic close, now is an especially relevant time to consider the power of legacy. There were many powerful leaders in the Bible from staff-wielding Moses to fish-catching Peter. They came from different walks of life, possessed differing levels of education, and leveraged distinct leadership styles. But they all shared one thing in common, they all left behind a legacy.
The Vision
King David was a truly epic king, beloved by his followers and the LORD alike. He founded the Israelite empire, established true worship to the LORD, and yearned to build God a beautiful temple in Jerusalem. But God would not let him. God told King David, “‘“You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for My Name. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for My Name”’” (1 Kings 8:18-19 NIV). This son was King Solomon.
God thinks big. Often times, He will lay visions on our hearts that go beyond our capabilities and even our lifetimes. However, these visions will never be realized unless we convince other people to buy into them. King David succeeded in implanting his vision in his son before he passed away.
Implanting the Vision
His first and most important step in this process was passing on His love of the LORD to his son. The book of 1 Kings records that “Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the decrees of his father, David” (1 Kings 3:3a NLT). True imitation begins not with the hands but the heart. If our successors don’t have the same heart we have, they will ultimately take a different path, or they’ll follow in our footsteps for all the wrong reasons.
Enabling the Vision
King David’s second step was giving his son a thorough recipe for success. He gave Solomon the full extent of the revelation God had given him concerning the temple (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). And he gave his son all the manpower and supplies he could muster (1 Chronicles 22:1-5, 28:21). He did everything possible to ensure his son’s success in fulfilling the vision.
Articulating the Vision
Lastly, King David gave Solomon a clear articulation of the vision on his heart. King David told his son, “‘As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it’” (1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NKJV).
King David succinctly expressed the vision, laid out the blessing that awaited his son if he succeeded, and expressed the consequences if he did not. These words must have stayed with King Solomon all the years of his life and spurred him on as he completed one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world.
Conclusion
King Solomon’s success began with his father’s passion. King David’s legacy lived on because the story of his life was bejeweled with love for the LORD. Here was a man who sang (Psalm 7, 8, 23), danced (2 Samuel 6:14), and fought for the LORD (1 Samuel 17:45-47). King Solomon did not finish his greatest life’s work in spite of his father but because of him.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6 ESV)