After David had given instructions to the different key groups of people in preparation for the building of the temple (chapters 22-27), he assembled all the officials of Israel to give his final exhortation. In his final message to his people, old David now passed the baton and the responsibilities of building the temple to his son and the next king, Solomon.

David told his people how he was chosen by God to establish a covenant with him and his descendants to reign as king over Israel forever. Just as he was chosen, God has also chosen Solomon to take over David. Throughout the scriptures, we see that God chose people and nation to fulfil His will and ways. For example, God chose Abraham to father the nation of Israel. Jacob was chosen by God among the other nations to be His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). Moses was chosen and called by God to bring the Israelites out of captivity into the chosen land. Saul was chosen to be the first king over Israel (1 Samuel 9-10). David was then chosen to take his place to unite the kingdom of God and now Solomon, chosen by God to reign over the kingdom after his father.

In David’s exhortations to his people, he stressed that God had chosen Solomon to lead Israel, Solomon to succeed him to build the temple. By the traditions of family lineage, Solomon was not in line for kingship, but yet God chose him. God told David that “it is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.” （v6）What a privilege to be sovereignly called by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Creator of heavens and earth, to be called His child and to serve Him!

In the same light, through Christ’s death and resurrection, we believers are chosen and called by God to become sons and daughters of the most high king. God predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1:5) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians 4:6-7). Were we chosen because we were any better and more capable than those around us? Absolutely not! It is a mystery we will probably not understand, but God, by His sovereign grace chose us and gave us more than just life, He gave us the royal privilege to be heirs to His royal throne and kingdom.

David reminds Solomon and his people to know God and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind. King David knew the weight and responsibility of leading God’s people. He probably took reference of his own life journey on seeking and knowing God for direction, wisdom, comfort or protection. He exhort Solomon to know God first through the understanding of His commandments.

Dear brothers and sisters, do not undermine this privilege of being called God’s children. In the same way, God calls us to know Him and to serve Him. Christ calls us to love our Lord with all our heart, mind and soul, to love Him wholly and to serve Him wholly. What then, my friend can you do to know God or to serve Him more today at where you are now?

Prayer: Father, forgive us, when we forget that it was by grace we were chosen by you to become your child. Help us to take active steps to respond to this privilege by drawing closer to you and loving you daily. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!