Coming Up Sunday, September 21

This Sunday we will come to the end of David's reign in Israel. Now on his deathbed (like the other great heroes of Jewish history) he gives a final speech. It is not as long as some of the speeches (one assumes that Jacob would have passed out midway through his marathon speech, for example), but it is still prescient, giving clues about the future of the Israelites.

Just before the speech, David summons his servants and tells them to anoint his son Solomon as the king. Then he speaks his final speech to the new-king Solomon. Contrast this to the previous king, Saul, who gives no final speech and has no control over who will follow him as king of Israel.

This is David's final earthly reward for his faithfulness -- he gets to choose who will next rule his kingdom. For all but the most paranoid monarchs (Herod the Great comes to mind) who can't imagine their kingdom being ruled by anyone else, this is the most important final action of a ruler.

But it is also the challenge for any leader -- how do we let go of the things that we have cherished and controlled for a certain amount of time? The reward for good service is not eternal service; it is simply having a say in the future after you. (On the other hand, the consequence for bad service is not having a say in the future.)

While we will consider the implications of David's death for Israel on Sunday, I also want us to take some time to think through our legacies, in our families, our jobs, our churches, etc. How do we let go -- sometimes while we're still alive and kicking? How do we react when some of our cherished traditions are changed by those who come after us (holiday dinners, church services, job focuses)?