Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Those who trust in self for success cannot guarantee their success, and that any success will last. But those who trust in the Lord are led to lasting success. David and Solomon, his son, trusted in the Lord and had great and lasting success.
David Trusted in the Lord
David was a shepherd boy, who was the runt of his family. However, the Lord saw him as “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). God sent his prophet Samuel to anoint David as the next king of Israel. The Lord had rejected Saul as king of Israel because he chose to do his own thing rather than trust in the Lord (I Samuel 16).
David Killed a Fearsome Giant
In David’s journey to the throne, he slayed a fearsome giant enemy of Israel. An enormous Philistine giant named Goliath dared any man of Israel to fight him one-on-one. All the men of the army of Israel ran in fear. David told King Saul that God had enabled him to kill a lion and a bear, and he would fight Goliath.
David confronted Goliath with five smooth stones and a slingshot he had used to kill the lion and the bear. Facing Goliath, David told him you come against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but “I come to you in the name of the Almighty God” (Samuel 17:45 NIV). David killed Goliath with his sling and a stone. Then he used Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head.
David Became a Successful Military Leader
David rose to be a captain of the army of Israel. God gave him many victories. The people of Israel chanted king “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousand” (Samuel 18:7 NIV).
In a state a jealousy King Saul tried repeatedly to kill David, but God protected him. Even Saul’s own son Johnathan, who admired David, secretly helped David.
On more than one occasion David had opportunities to kill King Saul, but didn’t. David viewed King Saul as having been anointed by God. Being a man after God’s own heart, David refused to kill the King.
God Made David King
God rejected Saul as King because he chose to do his own thing rather than trust in the Lord for success. God caused Saul to die an ignominious death. After Saul’s death, God made David, “a man after God’s own heart” King of Israel.
Yet, in his humanity, David sinned against God. He committed adultery, and killed the man whose wife he took. However, because he repented, God forgave him, spared his life and let him remain King (2 Samuel 12:7-13). God forgives those who repent of their sin (1 John 1:8).
God Recognized David’s Heart
David had in his heart to build a house of worship for the Lord. Recognizing his heart, the Lord told David, “I will make your name great, like the name of the greatest men on earth” (2 Samuels 7:9). The Lord declared that he would establish a house for David. “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13 NIV).
David came to be recognized as the greatest King of the Old Testament. His Psalms attest to his heart- and- soul fellowship with the Lord. His Psalms are inspirational to many of us today. My aunt taught me to recite the 23rd Psalm when I was just a boy. When my Aunt was sick and nearing death, I encouraged her to recite the 23rd Psalm. This Psalm has inspired me during much of my life’s journey.
The Lord is my shepherd, my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
In green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he
Leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
For his name’s sake,
Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod
And thy staff the comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my
Head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
King David is not only recognized as the greatest king of the Old Testament; he also ranks among the greatest poet – writers of all time. God honored David in allowing him to foresee the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31); and in allowing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to be David’s offspring (Matthew1:1-17).
If you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says God recognizes you as one of his kings and priests (Revelation 5:10).
Solomon Chose to Trust in the Lord
David’s son, Solomon, was only a boy when he succeeded his father to the throne of Israel. He showed his reliance upon and trust in the Lord, when he prayed to God:
O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of
my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know
how to carry out my duties… So, give your servant a discerning
heart to govern your people and to distinguish between
right and wrong (1 Kings 3:7, 9 NIV).
God Gave Solomon Wisdom
Because Solomon’s request pleased God, He gave him surpassing discernment and wisdom (1 Kings 3: 10-13). An example of Solomon’s God-given wisdom is seen in his judging between two women, each claiming one baby was her own. Both women had given birth while sleeping in the same room: one rolled over and killed her baby. When awakened the next morning the real mother knew her baby had been stolen by the other woman. She took her case before King Solomon.
Solomon ordered the live baby be cut in half and divided among the two women. One woman said give the other woman the living child. Solomon ordered that the living child be given to the woman who wanted it to live. All the people stood in awe of the king because they saw that God’s wisdom was in him to carry out justice (1 King 3:28).
God Gave Solomon riches
Because Solomon’s request for wisdom to lead God’s people pleased him, God gave him surpassing discernment and huge wealth, which he did not ask for (1 Kings 3: 10-13).
“King Solomon was greater in wisdom and riches than all the other kings of the earth. Royalties from the whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift – articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules” (1 Kings 10:23-25 NIV).
Solomon’s Greatness is Still Recognized
- Even today, you may use the writings of the wisdom of Solomon as guides to successful living: Solomon tells us that although he had riches, wisdom, honor and every pleasure of the world, he discovered these things do not lead to true happiness. They are all “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” – “Vanity and vexation of spirits” (Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV- KJV).
- Solomon said the rich and wise die as the poor and the fool: and they leave everything behind for someone else (Ecclesiastes 2:12).
- Better a little with the fear of the Lord then great treasure with turmoil (Proverbs, 5:16).
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Think about him in all your ways, and he will guide you on the right paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- The one who trusts in the in the Lord will be happy (Proverbs 16:20 HCSB).
If you are a New Testament believer, who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ, he recognizes you as greater than all the greats of the Old Testament (Matthew 11:11). And for your trust in the Lord, he guarantees you will have lasting successful (Psalm 37:4-5; Matthew 6:33).
