Read
Now the days of David drew near that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying: I go the way of all the earth; be strong therefore, and show yourself a man;
Meditate
Today’s message
People occupy a place in our lives like chairs in a room: not everyone sits on the couch. I have a friend who makes me laugh over coffee, but I don’t ask him for money because he doesn’t pay. I have another who pays on time, but if I’m feeling down, I don’t call him because he brings me down. There are friends good for traveling and there’s the one who, if he goes, his wife doesn’t help and the kids turn the trip upside down. I love them all. But I distribute. Proximity is a choice, not luck.
David called Solomon and didn’t give options; he gave orders. He started with the foundation: fear God and be a man. Before mentioning names, he adjusted his son’s heart. I do the same with you: start with the fear of the Lord. Without it, you misplace people and places. With it, you create a pillar to hold the roof. From there, David names who to bring close, who to honor, and who to guard against. It’s not coldness; it’s wisdom to avoid living isolated after trying to trust everyone.
I want to give you five references to position around you
- A God to fear — the principle and filter for all choices.
- A father to inspire — an example who takes responsibility and admits mistakes.
- A commander to protect — courageous people who defend and execute (like Benaiah).
- A priest to bring you closer to God — points out postures, corrects attire and vocabulary (like Zadok).
- A prophet to correct — says what no one dares to say (like Nathan and Micaiah).
Fear God and be a man.
Now, look closely — see what he did. Joab was brave, but dangerous. David warned: don’t leave the post empty; replace it with someone who protects without betrayal. Barzilai? Gratitude. Treat his children kindly; gratitude is the memory of the heart. And Shimei? He has already shown who he is. David spared him, but taught Solomon not to be naive. You don’t kill anyone; you adjust the distance. Have people by your side who, if someone speaks ill of you at the table, raise their voice and defend you, and also those who look at your seasoning and say: it’s sour.
How to distribute people around you today
- Bring closer those who lead you to God and protect you; relocate those who hurt you.
- Practice concrete gratitude to those who helped you in difficult days.
- Cut slander where it arises and value those who defend you in public.
- Allow correction: vocabulary, attire, habits, and temperament under the fear of the Lord.
I remain in place to see people return. I’ve met someone in the bakery who broke their life and, two months later, asked for a return. That’s why I don’t run from people, but I also don’t leave just anyone in the center of my room. Fear God and be a man: thank Barzilai, replace Joab, watch over Shimei, listen to the priest and the prophet. Distribute the chairs. This way, your house won’t fall, and your heart won’t harden.
Did you know
- Barzilai the Gileadite supported David when he fled from Absalom; that’s why David ordered that his sons eat at the king's table.
- Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, executed Adonijah and Joab and took command of the army in place of Joab.
- Zadok remained faithful to David and was confirmed as priest by Solomon, while Abiathar was deposed.
Key phrases
- We need to love everyone, but we won’t be able to like all people.
- Whoever starts thinking they can trust everyone ends up living a life of isolation.
- Look closely. See what he did.
- Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
Whoever Trusts Everyone Ends Up Trusting No One - Claudio Duarte
Watch