So the Chronicler recounts a great public ceremony for the transfer of power from David to Solomon, with David describing his own generosity in giving very large gifts for the building of the temple (I Chronicles 29:2-5). This then motivated other leaders to give substantial gifts as well (29:6-8). And David offered praise to God, acknowledging that “all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (29:14). Here, as throughout the scriptures, the text recognizes that nothing we possess ultimately belongs to us: everything belongs to the Lord; we can only hold it, for a time, as stewards of the blessings God has entrusted to us.

David’s prayer for his son Solomon is thought-provoking. He did not pray that his son would have a long life and a successful career; he did not even pray that his son would be happy. Instead he prayed that God would “grant to my son Solomon that with single mind he may keep your commandments, your decrees, and your statutes, performing all of them” (I Chronicles 29:19).

So many of today’s parents would say, instead, “I just want my children to be happy” – even though we know there are lots of things that look like happiness at first glance, which will take our children far away from God. We need to help them discover that it is only in fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives that we experience the fullness of joy that our Lord intends for us – and that’s what we need to pray for them, as well.

David got a lot of things wrong (though, as we have seen, the Chronicler was reluctant to tell us about most of those failings). But David got this thing right, and the Chronicler wants us to see it: David’s prayer for his son was that Solomon would set himself in wholehearted obedience to God’s commands.

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We pray, O Lord, for our children, those who are still youngsters and those who are now adults: that they will seek your will, and be diligent to put it into effect. We ourselves are so prone to cut corners and make excuses for ourselves: teach our children – and us! – to keep your word with undivided heart.