Was there ever a man better prepared for the end of life than King David? As his body weakened and death drew near, David was satisfied that he was right with God and his life had been well lived. He intended to finish well and so:

• He had a fine son whom he primed to take his place as king
• He donated his considerable wealth to build a great temple for the Lord
• He put his Psalms and hymns into regular rotation as part of Israel’s worship
• He organized the priests and Levites and restored them to their proper positions in Israel’s religious life
• He made sure the national army was equipped and performing at peak levels
• He won respect for Israel from all of the nations around her

The best part was that David knew that he had pleased God throughout his life, but when he failed, God forgave him.

David’s Final Challenge to His Son

David charged Solomon with the most important thing he wanted him to remember.

“Be strong, act like a man.” 1 Kings 2:2

David knew all about manhood. He was a great man himself, but he also lived among great men. He had a strong father, brave and strong older brothers, and a king, who for a time was his mentor. His best friend was a warrior prince named Jonathan. When David fled from King Saul to his hidden stronghold, he attracted mighty men from all over Israel who formed an army around him. David knew what it meant to be a strong man.

So, according to David, how did a man demonstrate strength?

“’I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses.’” 1 Kings 2:3

The most challenging thing David ever did was learn how to walk in obedience to God’s law. The refining fire of the Word of God tempered his strength. It burned out the dross of sin and directed him to paths of glory.

Final Instructions to Solomon 

King David was at peace with everyone at the end of his life. But there were a couple of pieces of unfinished business that might cause problems for Solomon after David was gone. David gave the new king permission to deal with them as he saw fit.

Most of his life Joab was an incredibly loyal, skillful and supportive commander of David’s armies. But there was a traitorous side to him that Solomon needed to know about. David reminded Solomon that Joab had murdered two rival commanders, Abner and Amasa, whom he killed in the most treacherous way, drawing them close, like a friend coming for an embrace, then stabbing them to death.

David didn’t tell Solomon what to do with Joab, but he said, “Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.” 1 Kings 2:6

David also reminded Solomon about Shimei the Benjamite who cursed David as he fled from Jerusalem during Absalom’s uprising. When David returned to Jerusalem, Shimei begged forgiveness and David agreed not to punish him that day.

But David still held Shimei guilty for cursing and assaulting him. He said to Solomon, “You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.” 1 Kings 2:9

There was one family David wanted to protect and reward. Barzillai of Gilead was a gracious, generous old man who had blessed David while he was exiled from Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion. David commanded Solomon to provide for Barzillai’s sons at his own table in Jerusalem.

David’s Last Words

Last words are important. What was on the top of the mind of this king as he died? David was overwhelmed with awe because of what God had done in his life. Being in relationship with God was the theme of David’s life and it inspired his last words.

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs.” 2 Samuel 23:1

David had the life he had because of what God did in and for him. God raised him up and made him Israel’s hero.

Inspired Words

David left behind a great body of literature. He gave his people poems and songs of faith, instruction, and praise . . . and it was the book of prayer that Jesus used throughout his earthly life. Jesus quoted two of David’s Psalms with his final breaths. The words God gave David in quiet, secret times together were for everyone, at all times.

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2

David’s prayer book became everyone’s prayer book.

Trained to Be King

David learned the art of being a king with the help of God. He learned that a king who lived and ruled righteously brought glory to his kingdom.

“The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’” 2 Samuel 23:3-4

Is it possible that we could be like kings and queens in our own lives and shed “the light of the morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning” on the people who live with us? David would answer yes.

The Most Important Thing

Finally, at the end of his life David knew that the most important thing was to be right with God. He was satisfied that there remained no dark clouds of sin or conflict between him and God.

“If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.” 2 Samuel 23:5

David made his heart right with God and God realigned David’s desires to match his own. David wanted what God wanted. And at the end of his life, David could say that every desire of his heart was granted.

The Destiny of the Ungodly

There were people who didn’t have the peace and security David had in the Lord. He saw those people; he had dealt with them as king. Some of them he left for Solomon to deal with as he saw fit.

“But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.” 2 Samuel 23:6-7

If David not not been quick to confess his sins and be forgiven—if he had not walked with God throughout his life – he would have shared the destiny of the ungodly.

Thirteen days of Psalms

Starting today we embark on thirteen days of reading the Psalms of David. These are the Psalms that aren’t connected to particular events in his life.

The Psalms are David’s prayer book. They are his journal of meditations on God; the record of his complaints, fears, joys and wonder. In these Psalms David intercedes for himself and others. He laments unexpected and painful experiences. He rises in hope on the promises of God.

Eugene Peterson wrote in his book Answering God: The Psalms As Tools for Prayer :

“Prayers are tools, but with this clarification: prayers are not tools for getting, but for being and becoming . . . At the center of the whole enterprise of being human, prayers are the primary technology. Prayers are tools God uses to work his will in our bodies and souls. Prayers are tools that we use to collaborate in his work with us.”

 Read Psalms 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 & 11 as a prayer guide today, and see what God is calling you to become. Ask the Lord to point something out to you. Look for just one thought, one phrase or verse that you can take with you through this day. Jot it down and keep it handy.

God uses the Psalms as his tool to shape your life, and you can use the Psalms as tools to shape your prayers back to him.