We’re going way back in history to the second king in ancient Israel’s history. The start of David’s reign wasn’t even for the whole nation of Israel. To say he got off to a rocky start would be an understatement. He was anointed king by the prophet Samuel while his predecessor and father-in-law was still king. Eventually, David would rule over the entire country for 33 years. And during this timeframe something quite remarkable happens. He acquired over 3,750 tons of gold worth $242 billion at today’s gold prices. Now that’s not all. David also came into possession of 37,500 tons of silver worth $28 billion at today’s silver prices. That’s $270 billion in just two precious metals. It doesn’t include all of the stone and wood, or the precious stones, gems and the like. He gives all of that to his son Solomon to use in building a temple for God. David was told by God that he couldn’t build the temple, but his son Solomon who would succeed him as king would build that temple. David supplied the materials, and the plans, and the team Solomon would need. David did everything in his power to set Solomon up for success.

On the surface, and in the near term, it seemed as if David was successful. Solomon got off to an amazing start.

But, God’s promises often come with two sides. The desired activity produces blessing for everyone. The warning is that doing things that divide the heart produce problems. That’s been the problem since God created everything that is. The human condition is to believe the tempter when he says God is holding out on us. We think we know better than God who created us, and in the end we discover that God really does know best. 

This wasn’t intended to be a spiritual post, yet you need to have a basis for a legacy worth passing on. How solid is your foundation? How long will that foundation last? If the best plans of David ultimately failed after just one generation, what would have lasted longer? What did last longer? God’s promises to David lasted far longer than the failure of Solomon. 

So how do I know Solomon failed? This magnificent temple he built for God wasn’t the only amazing thing he built. He built high places for his wives’ gods too. As God promised, his wives caused his heart to be divided. And after Solomon died, the kingdom was divided, and the magnificent temple was destroyed. The treasure was put into the hands of others to provide protection for subsequent kings of Israel or Judah. 

When years later the temple was rebuilt, those who had seen Solomon’s temple wept because it wasn’t as grand as Solomon’s temple. Those who hadn’t seen that temple wept because God again had a temple to dwell among His people. What would a wholehearted devotion to God have produced for Solomon and those that would have followed him? We’ll never know. 

What we do know is that God loves to redeem. That’s the long arc of history. If the legacy you leave behind is connected with God’s history of redemption, that’s a powerful legacy.