APRIL 29,  1 Kings 9:1-5

For seven years after David’s death, the construction of the magnificent temple went on steadily. At long last the final cedar board was covered in gold leaf. The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time. He assured him that He, the Most High, had hallowed (made holy) the sanctuary and that He would be pleased to reside there among His people.

Here, as in 1 Kings 3:5 when the Lord appeared to Solomon the first time, there is a superb accolade and tribute from God Himself to David. It shows how highly God esteemed David – how he was a man of incredible integrity and uprightness of heart. In verses 4-5, God said that all of Solomon’s glory, all of his power, all of his achievements must be measured in terms of whether he walked as David his father walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness. In fact, the future kings of Israel were also judged according to whether they “walked as David did”.

David, the humble, gifted, great Shepherd King had lived before God in utter faithfulness. As children of God, we too need to follow David in the way he loved and served God too.

According to today’s reading, what was king David’s most enduring legacy? Circle the right answer.

1. His magnificent psalms
2. His preparation of the temple
3. His military conquests
4. His integrity of heart and uprightness before the Lord

Thought: Our lives must magnify the Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, make my life one that is like David’s, walking in integrity of heart and uprightness before the Lord. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.