Proverbs 4:3
"When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother"
then he taught me and said to me
This is one of Solomon's tenderest memories – when his father, King David, took time to instruct him in the ways of God's wisdom. It was those lessons that were imprinted on his soul. There is not enough emphasis on the instruction responsibility of fathers to take time and direct their children in the way of wisdom.
Notice that David did not try and instruct when Solomon was older and could interact with him. No, David taught Solomon when he was tender and the lessons would make the greatest impact.
It is too often that we wait to teach valuable lessons, thinking they won't understand. But if you teach when they are still in the elementary years, they internalize the lessons much deeper. Later the lessons may be met with more cynicism and resistance.
If you are a father, schedule time every week – even every day – to teach your young children the lessons of life that they will need. Impress on them the need to acquire wisdom. Become a person who discerns between possible decisions and chooses the one that causes many to win.
Notice that this teaching took place between David and Solomon before Bathsheba had any other sons.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz