Why A Good Father is Priceless (based on a true life story...) by Precious C Philip

We (Christians) often praise King Solomon for asking God to give him wisdom and understanding when God asked him to ask what He shall give him - in response to a thousand burnt offerings Solomon offered to God (2 Chronicles 1:6-10). But what we do not realize is that King David, Solomon's father, actually influenced what Solomon asked of God, though he was late then.

When you read the book of 1 Chronicles 22:12-13. You will notice the nature of the prayer King David offered for his son in his son's hearing. It went thus "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. 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. 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."

Notice that King David prayed for God to give Solomon wisdom and understanding, and not to give him riches, wealth and honor. This prayer King David prayed for his son Solomon doubtlessly influenced the request Solomon made of God to give him wisdom and knowledge, and not material things or any other thing; for that was what his late father asked God to give him - which he believed he needed most in his office as the King of Israel.

If David had asked for riches, wealth, and other material possessions instead of wisdom and understanding for his son, Solomon could have asked the same. So David prayed right - which influenced his son to pray right, and God honored their requests.

What do we learn from this amazing story?

Good fathers are priceless. Good fathers are important because they help to shape the glorious future of their children. Sadly, good fathers are scarce in our society today where many married men are living promiscuously and the young unmarried men are striving to get fame and money by hook or by crook. Some are lavishing the money they earn in nightclubs, womanizing, partying and drinking alcohol. How will these men become good fathers that will instill good morals and values in their children and raise godly seeds tomorrow if their current lifestyle does not depict probity, virtue and rectitude?

If you're a potential father or an unmarried man reading this and your current lifestyle sincerely will not influence your children positively when you become a father, please drop that lifestyle now and deliberately pick up a lifestyle that will be a positive influence to your children. Start now to embrace godly values and principles, and live the kind of life you would want your children to emulate and live. You cannot be living an irresponsible life and expect to raise responsible children. It is said that a promiscuous father will raise a promiscuous son. Take responsibility now!

As a married man who is already a father, please consciously and deliberately instill good values, good habits, and good principles into your children. Pray the right prayer for them in their hearing, so they can pray the right prayer for themselves. Set good examples, establish godly standards for your children to follow. 

Be a good father. Copy this fathering style of King David: He fed his son with the right words - "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10

Think about this: If King David wasn't a good father, if Solomon never had a good father who guided him on the right path, Solomon would have asked God for the wrong thing and missed out on the big package God had for him. He probably wouldn't even had offered a thousand burnt offerings to God. This means, we wouldn't know Solomon today as the wisest and richest King that ever lived. 2 Chronicles 9: 22-24: "King Solomon was richer and wiser than any other king in the world. They all consulted him, to hear the wisdom that God had given him. Each of them brought Solomon gifts—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. This continued year after year."

It was Solomon's request for wisdom and knowledge from God that brought the wealth and riches he enjoyed in his lifetime. 2 Chronicles 1:11-12: "God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

Dear bachelor, work towards being a good father to your children. Dear Married man, be a good father to your children; put them on the right path.

Shalom.