1 Chronicles 28:9
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
The “Conditional Security” theology of King David in a verse. Seems clear and concise, to the point and without much chance to misunderstand or misapply.
Yet as one who vehemently clutched on the the “Once Saved Always Saved” (OSAS) teaching for decades in my Christian pilgrimage, when I came across this verse, or so many others, I would mentally respond in a number of ways.
Ignore it
This verse is rarely tripped over by the rank and file believer, since it is couched in an Old Testament book, primarily populated with genealogies and depressing histories of a nation in decline. That might not be a fair assessment of 1 Chronicles, but it is a common assessment for the average believer, so this verse is rarely considered.
Isolate it
David was speaking to Solomon only. This call to fear God for his son was a special situation that David considered worthy of adding his own spin on the need to fear God. If OSAS is a Bible truth, is it a fair assumption that it is a Bible truth throughout God’s redemptive relationships with mankind?
One of my best defenses for this type of thinking was that God had somehow changed in His dealings with New Testament believers, providing them an unconditional security when they enter into the faith. Of course there are many passages in the New Testament that seem to state this as a truth, and that may be referred to. But as I read the Old Testament, there are many verses that seem to state an unconditional security for those of the faith in the Old Covenant.
This seeming conflict is generated, in my opinion, by delving into a “proof texting” of the Bible, providing or depending only on snippets or verses that support a certain teaching. We all are – at least I am – guilty of this type of defense of our cherished doctrines, and it is incredibly difficult to be honest with the text if the cherished teaching is more important than the sacred text.
Nevertheless, to honestly consider a text that confronts a cherished doctrine is not for the faint of heart.
Infidel
Is David speaking to Solomon as an unbeliever? Is he setting forth before Solomon a gospel call, an invitation to get right with God, to “invite Jesus into his heart” (whatever that may mean).
Consider the following experiences in Solomon’s life, provided in chronological order.
1 Kings 3:3,5,7-10
3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.
5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.
9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
Seems like this passage in a favorable light for Solomon in relation to God.
1 Kings 11:4,9,11
4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice
11 Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.
Granted, this last portion speaks of his reign, and of his loss of the kingdom. Yet the condition of his soul is evident. Note that verse 9 above speaks of Solomon turning away from the LORD. Is there a difference between the turning away in 1 1 Kings 11:9, and David’s warning in 1 Chronicles 28:9 of his forsaking God.
Consider. Might David be warning him of what became his future?
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