King David is now very old and will die soon.  Before he dies, he calls his son Solomon to himself and gives him some last-minute instructions.  He tells Solomon to take care of some people for him.  Some he tells him to be kind to and others he instructs Solomon to arrange for a bloody death.  In this short section of scripture there is an interesting study in the contrasts of David’s life.  But that is for another time.

His first instruction to Solomon has to do with the Law of Moses.  David is very specific about what he thinks Solomon should do with these laws.  David told Solomon to observe, follow, and keep them.  And seemingly to make sure there were no loopholes in his statement David told Solomon to do these things with the laws, commands, regulations, and stipulations.

To observe carries with it the idea of studying.  The kings of Israel were told to write out a copy of the Law of Moses when they took the throne and they were to keep the Law with them.  This personally hand-written copy was to be a continual reminder of who they were to answer to; God.  Only as we study God’s Word can we truly get to know the God we serve.  Our studies of His Word form the basis of all our understanding of life and this world that we are in.

David told Solomon to follow all of ‘his ways’.  This means that Solomon was to obey what was written within the Law of Moses.  It is not enough to know God’s Word; we need to obey it.  If we are not following the LORD’s directions as found in His Word, we can be sure that we are going the wrong way.  Sadly, this is what later happened to Solomon.

Solomon is also instructed to keep these laws.  The word ‘keep’ carries the idea of guarding and protecting.  God’s Word is a precious thing and should be guarded, first in our hearts and then in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  Frequently in Scripture we are counseled to guard our hearts.  This is because our heart dwells where our love is.  God wants us to love Him and that is more easily done as we guard God’s Word within our hearts.

David ended this verse with a promise.  If Solomon would observe, follow, and keep the laws, commands, regulations, and stipulations he would be successful in everything he did and everywhere he went.  That is a promise that I can really embrace; I want to be successful in everything and everywhere.  For that to happen I simply need to observe, follow, and keep.  Jesus, help me hide Your Word in my heart.

Read: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25