April 21

Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. — 1 Kgs 3:6 BSB

Solomon felt a deep sense of responsibility to live up to the blessing God had given his father. We often focus on parents’ responsibility for their children, but we should also think about children’s responsibility for their parents.

Before David died, he gave Solomon advice: “Be strong, and show yourself to be a man... so that the Lord may fulfill His word to me.” The fulfillment of God’s promises to David would depend on Solomon’s faithfulness. David had only begun the work; it was Solomon’s duty to continue and complete it.

Having a respected parent is a great inheritance, but it also brings a heavy responsibility. The blessings passed down are a sacred trust, meant to be preserved and honored. Being unfaithful not only leaves our work undone but may also destroy the good work that was entrusted to us to carry forward.