SUCCESSION PLANNING
Opening Prayer
Lord, allow me to set my affairs in order before I leave this earth.
Read 1 KINGS 2:1–12
David’s Charge to Solomon
2 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and 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. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
5 “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”
10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
David did not subscribe to the old maxim, “But what have you done for me lately?”
Think Further
David now considers what he wants Solomon to be and to do as he mounts the throne. His main concern is that Solomon should be faithful to the covenant God so that all the promises that he had made to David might be fulfilled. David looks forward to generations of faithful successors because he knows that such rulers will bring blessing to the people of God.
David also informs Solomon of what he regards as unfinished business. Good CEOs will address the big problems before they step down, but there are some matters for which the time is not yet right. David realizes that there are certain people who must be dealt with, or they will threaten Solomon’s rule and the security of the very kingdom. He now acts as the responsible leader who delineates these unresolved issues, trusting Solomon to find the right way to tackle them. Those who succeed to leadership need to know about such unfinished business from outgoing leadership.
David is concerned not only with problems to be dealt with. He also wants to ensure that the sons of Barzillai continue to be rewarded for his father’s assistance to David when he was fleeing from Absalom. Too often, people remember only their enemies and don’t ensure that their friends are properly cared for. David wants to reward those who stood by him when the chips were down. Successors need to understand the history behind relationships. With all this in place, David himself can die in peace with his kingdom firmly established.
Apply
Reflect on those who have been a blessing to you all throughout the years.
Closing prayer
Lord, give me the wisdom to instruct my children prudently as to how they should live their life when I am gone.
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