The Mandate for Solomon

King Solomon had more intellectual and material resources at his disposal than any other person in history, and yet none of it was enough. When he turned away from God, he discovered that he could never find satisfaction.

The scope of the mandate itself was enormous, and David was a tough act to follow. Solomon was ready; David had developed him as a leader. The part of the charge recorded in verses 2–4 is based upon the assumption that Solomon knew and honored God’s ways, “his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations.” There is no greater preparation for leadership than that. Leadership takes on many forms as the size of the mandate grows, as its climate and environment change. We need to remain constant is the morally and David trained Solomon in this aspect of leadership (as the future king of Israel). Solomon was ethically ready. David revealed to Solomon some of the specifics of his new role as king of Israel (see vv. 5–9). David left Solomon with some thorny, unresolved leadership situations, David made Solomon aware of God’s wisdom. He asserted, “You will know what to do” (v. 9). David had invested himself in preparing Israel’s next leader.

We are all skilled and equipped to fulfill the mandate to which we are called, we are all leaders in the making and yet God places strong leaders around us, together with the power of the Holy Spirit so we are effective in our call.