by Bill Cook

Sooner or later, when the family is all gathered together, the embarrassing stories come out. Mother, bless her heart, may illustrate with a picture or perhaps a funny video.

King Solomon’s Family Story

Some of the stories that would have come out in Solomon’s family would have seemed tragic. There was the story about his father, King David, who danced in the street when the Ark of the Covenant came home. Where was his discernment?

Have we been embarrassed by our leaders? Have we been embarrassed in court? Have we been an embarrassment to our neighborhood?

Your Family Story

It all depends upon how we act. Are we living day by day with proper discernment and judgment? Here is Solomon’s starting point, and it’s a common one: “Haste makes waste.” Then he illustrates:

· Running hurriedly to the king’s throne room.

· Rushing into court to testify or to throw down a case against your neighbor.

· Rushing off to claim some great honor for yourself.

All of the above played a part in Solomon’s family’s great moments of embarrassment, and there were strong consequences.

David’s wife Michal criticized her husband for his conduct among the women of Israel. David offered a knee-jerk and perhaps overly strong reaction to Michal. Michal’s criticism and David’s reaction may have provided another mark against King David’s legacy.

Will you be an embarrassment to your family, or will you be admired for your character and reputation? It all depends on the attention you pay to God’s Word and the godly discernment you display in daily living.

 Bill Cook is senior minister with the First Church of Christ in Covington, Indiana where he and his wife Pam have served since July 2007.