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God has a tendency to choose younger sons to lead His people. This is remarkable! Everyone else in the ancient world is led by the oldest sons; it’s tradition. But God chose Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, David over his six older brothers, and now Solomon over his many older brothers.

This tendency to choose the unexpected demonstrates that Israel is God’s nation, not the nation of any monarch. God is not bound by human traditions, no matter how old those traditions may be. As the Jews face seemingly impossible situations, their ancestors’ lives remind them that God can and will do anything to accomplish His goals. He often supports those with a hopeless cause. Why else would He rescue His people, the Jews, from the great Persian Empire and choose them to rebuild His nation?

David: To you, my officials, follow the laws of the Eternal One your God as a witness to your neighbors (all Israel who are the assembly of the Eternal) and in the sight of our God so that you will retain this land and be able to pass it to your descendants forever.

To you, my son Solomon, maintain a relationship with the God of your father and serve Him with a complete heart in all your thoughts and actions. The Eternal searches all hearts for their desires and understands the intentions of every thought. If you search for Him as He searches you, then He will let you find Him. But if you abandon Him, then He will reject you forever. 10 Realize that the Eternal has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. You must be resolute and do it!

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“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel(A) and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands(B) of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.(C)

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion(D) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart(E) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,(F) he will be found by you; but if you forsake(G) him, he will reject(H) you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

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