1 Chronicles 22:5–6: “Now David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.’ So David made abundant preparations before his death. Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel.”

King David realized he needed to “make preparations” for the temple he was leaving for his son to build. Many have observed that while he prepared things, he failed to prepare his son Solomon. Being a good parent is more than taking care of material needs. Working to provide a good home, food, and clothes, isn’t the most important point. It’s also more than just teaching children to “Do as I say!” What a parent actually does, speaks much louder than any words they might say. Being a good parent means being deeply committed to the Lord and clearly living out your life with Him daily in front of your kids. It means admitting your mistakes and asking your kids for forgiveness when you fail in front of them. It means not being a bigger-than-life hero but a real-life parent, who stumbles, falls, and repents.

David was correct in giving his kid a dream and a vision that was bigger than himself. Good parents give their kids a purpose in life that is bigger than getting married, having a nice home, and then retiring. Every kid needs an opportunity to discover their own God-given talents and strengths. It is a parent’s job to help them try out various areas to see where they excel, and then find ways to help them grow in that area. But parents are not to live vicariously through or push their kids, like some “little-league parents” do.

During the 400-meter semifinal of the 1992 Summer Olympics, British runner Derek Redmond tore a hamstring and fell to the track. He struggled to his feet and began to hobble. His father ran from the stands to help him off the track, but the athlete refused to quit; he was determined to complete the race. He leaned on his father, and the two limped to the finish line together, amid deafening applause. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

“LORD, help us to leave a good legacy for those coming after us, in Jesus’ name.”

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1 Chronicles 22 KJV

¹ Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. ² And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God. ³ And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight; ⁴ Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. ⁵ And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that isto be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will thereforenow make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. ⁶ Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel. ⁷ And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: ⁸ But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. ⁹ Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.  ¹⁰ He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. ¹¹ Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. ¹² Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. ¹³ Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. ¹⁴ Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. ¹⁵ Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work. ¹⁶ Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore , and be doing, and the LORD be with thee. ¹⁷ David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying , ¹⁸ Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people. ¹⁹ Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.