Last Years of David
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colors; marble, and the most precious woods. And now these valuable
treasures that he had collected must be committed to others; for other
hands must build the house for the ark, the symbol of God’s presence.
Seeing that his end was near, the king summoned the princes
of Israel, with representative men from all parts of the kingdom, to
receive this legacy in trust. He desired to commit to them his dying
charge and secure their concurrence and support in the great work
to be accomplished. Because of his physical weakness, it had not
been expected that he would attend to this transfer in person; but the
inspiration of God came upon him, and with more than his wonted
fervor and power, he was able, for the last time, to address his people.
He told them of his own desire to build the temple, and of the Lord’s
command that the work should be committed to Solomon his son. The
divine assurance was, “Solomon thy son, he shall build My house
and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be
his Father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be
constant to do My commandments and My judgments, as at this day.”
“Now therefore,” David said, “in the sight of all Israel the congregation
of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all
the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this
good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you
forever.”
David had learned by his own experience how hard is the path
of him who departs from God. He had felt the condemnation of the
broken law, and had reaped the fruits of transgression; and his whole
soul was moved with solicitude that the leaders of Israel should be
true to God, and that Solomon should obey God’s law, shunning the
sins that had weakened his father’s authority, embittered his life, and
dishonored God. David knew that it would require humility of heart,
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a constant trust in God, and unceasing watchfulness to withstand the
temptations that would surely beset Solomon in his exalted station;
for such prominent characters are a special mark for the shafts of
Satan. Turning to his son, already acknowledged as his successor
on the throne, David said: “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou
the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a
willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all
the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of
thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever. Take heed