1 Chronicles 22:11-13

Now, my son, the Lord be with thee.

A father’s prayer for his son

I. For the possession of moral qualities.

1. Wisdom and understanding.

2. Strength end moral courage.

II. For the presence of God.

III. For successful undertaking. (J. Wolfendale.)

Condition of successful effort

I. Personal fitness.

1. Wisdom to direct.

2. Strength to work.

II. God’s presence to help in its prosecution.

III. Loyal obedience to god: “keep the law of the Lord.” (J. Wolfendale.)

The qualifications needed

I. The source from whence they come.

II. The design for which they are given. (J. Wolfendale.)

Keeping God’s law

I. God’s will is a law.

II. This law should be kept.

III. Obedience to this law is wisdom. (J. Wolfendale.)

Right training

We have read that Solomon was young and tender, young and timid; it would seem as if David, recognising the timidity of his son, specially charged him to cultivate courage, bravery, fearlessness. This was training up a child in the way he should go. We are too fond of training our strongest faculties, and thus we are tempted to neglect the weaker side of our nature. Find out the weak side of a child’s character, and address yourself assiduously to its cultivation. We should seek to fall the empty sack, not to overcrowd the full one. Bring into play the muscles that are most difficult to get at, and do not overtrain those which afford the fairest prospect of immediate results. When we complain of a weak memory, or a hesitant will, or a defective imagination, we should address ourselves to the cultivation of that which is in special need of culture. (J. Parker, D. D.)