Unequivocal
One Year Bible (June 7, 2022)
I Kings 2:1-3:2
UNEQUIVOCAL
Today I got a writing “check-up”. It came without warning. I did not ask for it, but it came from an impartial source called, Grammarly. I have used this tool for years, but I have never seen a report about my writing from them until today.
Here is what I learned. It says that I am more productive than 95% of Grammarly users, 87% more accurate, and used 96% more unique words than other Grammarly writers. I got dinged on my use of quotation marks. (Commas inside and out, Yada Yada). Got it, Sorta! You all can watch for that… There was one more thing, but we will get to that soon enough as
Grammarly commented on my profuse love of the Ellipses.
Today’s powerful message is David’s final “Charge to Keep” that he is speaking to his son. If I was analyzing his TONE today (GRAMMARLY JR) I would say that his CONFIDENCE is at the very top of the list. Why? He knows that it is ALL ABOUT GOD and following HIM.
What I like about David the most is his use of his “Unnecessary Ellipses”. As in, there is always MORE to the story…
David gives his admonition to his son and then he adds an Ellipse, “And there is something else…” I Kings 2:3 (One more reason why I love this guy!)
Let’s look at David’s final admonition to his son: “Take Courage and be a man (leader).” (2:2)
UNEQUIVOCAL OBSERVANCE.
“Observe the requirements of the Lord your God. ” (I Kings 2:3) (KNOW THEM.)
UNAMBIGUOUS OBEDIENCE.
“And Follow all his Ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses…” (FOLLOW THEM.)
UNMISTAKABLE OPPORTUNITIES.
“...So that You Will Be Successful in all you do and wherever you go. IF You Do This, THEN, The Lord Will Keep The Promise He Made To Me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.” (I Kings 2:4-5) (KEEP THEM and He’ll KEEP YOU!)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
“And there is something else… “Remember. Be Kind. You are a Wise Man.” (I Kings 2:3)
David finishes by asking Solomon to remove those that stood against peace and pretended to “Be For God” while they were really “Against God”. He asks him to BE KIND to those who stood with him as king. He ends by reminding Solomon that he is a Wise Man, even though he is probably only about 20 years old.
Wisdom goes from Knowledge to Understanding to Courageous Living.
Why do we GASP in ANGST when a mighty king like David falls when he depends on himself?
Why not GAZE in AMAZEMENT when a young, inexperienced king like Solomon (approximately 20 years of age) shows wisdom and strength beyond his years!
David’s final “Charge To Keep” which was given to his son can be summarized in two words: “IF/THEN” because we serve a COVENANT MAKING, COVENANT KEEPING GOD. David reminds his son that it is a two-way covenant. IF he does “his part”, THEN God keeps “HIS”.
In the days ahead we will see Solomon ADHERE to his father’s wise words, and we will see him ABHOR his father’s wise words.
The kingdom will FLOURISH, and the kingdom will FALL!
Everything will depend on Solomon’s FOCUS. (And ours as well.)
This powerful message is so needed by our generation as many are choosing to walk OUTSIDE THE PROTECTION and PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
We are forgetting the “IF/THEN” principle that David reminded his son to follow…
UNAMBIGUOUS. UNMISTAKABLE. UNFINISHED.
In Simple terms…OBSERVE. OBEY. KEEP. MODEL.
UNEQUIVOCAL.
