Three Kings

By what standards are we to measure success and failure?  Do we assume that someone successful has always been a success at everything, and always will be?  The same question could be asked about someone who has been a failure. Did he start out a failure, live all his life as a failure, and die a failure?

Let's take a look at David in the Old Testament and examine his life on our success vs. failure study. David had proved himself successful  in leading soldiers into war. He was a good king. Any man that was described as being "after God's own heart" must have been successful spiritually.  But there were some failures in his life.  He can't be pictured as a good father, especially after the squabble that occurred when David was old and his life was ending, and two of his sons were declaring themselves as THE king, at the same time.  He did live long enough to get the problem straightened out and Solomon was anointed as the new king.  Solomon was the offspring of David's immoral relationship with Bathsheba, whom David had previously promised would be the king. The Bible records David's final instructions to Solomon and shortly after David died. 1 Kings 2:12, "Solomon succeeded him as king, replacing his father, David, and he was firmly established on the throne."

We move to a look at Solomon and we instantly label him as a success. Look at all he inherited... a whole kingdom.  He was probably the richest king in history, not to mention the wisest.  He had prayed to God that he might receive wisdom above riches and honor.  God blessed him with continued wealth and wisdom. A success? Maybe by some standards, but look more into the life of Solomon.

Later in his life, he had amassed hundreds of wives and concubines. Then problems started because some of those wives brought their beliefs of pagan gods with them, and those beliefs began to spread throughout Israel. We might ask how anyone could possess such God-given wisdom, and then not use it at such an important time. Solomon really messed up!

Next in line to become king was Solomon's son Rehoboam.  Now this king had it made. He inherited power, money, possessions, honor, and all the prestige that goes along with being a king. Then we see him as one who lost all the wealth he inherited because of following wrong advice. He had no power anymore, and worst of all, he divided the kingdom he had inherited. 

So in answer to our initial question, a successful person can perform in such a way as to be a failure. And a failure of a man can become successful. Even by our standards today, we see the reality of this truth, and we see examples of it every day. 

Three generations of kings are in our story today. Notice their success was greatest during the times they were serving and following God. Notice also, when they strayed from the commands of God, failure was close behind. The lesson for us is that success comes not in the money, possessions, wisdom  or honor that is given us. Success comes when we, through the power of God living in us, rightfully use those blessings to bring praise and honor to our Heavenly Father. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>