Once again we take up our meditations on the life of young King Solomon, in connection with privilege and responsibility. As we do so we come again to some of the lovely expressions made by his father David in this 29th chapter of 1 Chronicles, while giving out instructions for the establishing of Solomon as king in his stead, and the building of the palace, etc. In verse 17 David says, “I know”. What a difference there is between guessing, thinking, and KNOWING. The blind man in John 9 could say, “I know”, and, added to that, Paul says, “I know”, in I Tim. 1:12. We often hear one of these phrases; “I guess so” or “I think so”, but our God would not have us to be “guessers” or “thinkers”. He wants us to have and enjoy definitely the knowledge of Himself and the Son of His love, our Lord Jesus Christ.

‘Well, now, what does David know? Ah! my brethren, listen. “I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness.”  yes, most certainly, “PLEASURE IN UPRIGHTNESS”; that is, he has pleasure in those activities of ours which He sees and knows ”are done” with a sincere desire that His name may be honoured and glorified. And who knows better than He? He knoweth all things and so we cannot fool Him. Neither should we do or say things that will fool our brethren. “As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart”, ….. David had learned many lessons in his personal experience and therefore was in a position to give instruction and encouragement to one who was to take up where he was about to give up.

Knowing that this definitely is the principle on which our God works until His purposes are fulfilled, how grievous it is when those to whom we look fail and, so to speak, deny practically that which they have taught in principle. It was recently remarked, “If he is right now, then he was wrong for thirty odd years, and if he was right for thirty years, then he is wrong now”. Yes, and that is verily true, for the Word is like Himself — it is unchangeable. David willingly offered. He set the example and had the joy of seeing others do the same. So we are reminded of our blessed Lord, He “suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps”. 1 Peter 2:21.

Then he goes on, in verse 18, with words which prove conclusively that he acknowledged the sovereignty, position, power, and relationship of our Lord. He expresses a desire for the people first and for Solomon second. What does he say? “Keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto Thee: And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

After this be says to the people, “Now bless the Lord your God”. And so they did, bowing their heads and worshiping. Then they offered their sacrifices unto the Lord, and did eat and drink before the Lord that day With GREAT GLADNESS. They made Solomon king the second time, and Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord. Notice carefully this expression — “The throne of the Lord”. In other words, in the place which the Lord had made for him. And in that place he prospered. And that can be our daily portion, and will be if we are putting our blessed Lord in His place. Then we will be found in our place, and there will be obedience and submission to those things which are taught in the Word, for our spiritual progress. Oh, what blessing can be ours! Read verse 25. We see now in the remaining verses the climax and recording of the reign of David, Solomon being firmly established as king in his stead.