1 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless for David’s sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: Nevertheless for David’s sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:
The saying stands in the account of the brief reign of the wicked Abijam over Judah, which followed the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam, the revolt of the ten tribes to Jeroboam, and the spoiling of the temple by Shishak of Egypt, and which preceded the better reign of Asa and the prosperity of Judah under his sway. It belongs to the record of Abijah's reign as king of Judah in the time of the divided kingdom after Solomon, Rehoboam and Jeroboam, before the reign of Asa in Judah and the reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri and Ahab in Israel. The lamp in Jerusalem means that for David's sake God kept David's line from being extinguished, giving a continuing lamp by setting up his son as king after him and thereby preserving Jerusalem and the continuity of the kingdom and keeping David's dynasty established there. Even though Abijam's reign was wicked, God for David's sake preserved a continuing royal line in Jerusalem by establishing his son after him. The phrase for David's sake reflects that although his later prominence as companion of the king, leader in the army, and king of Israel brought far greater trials and temptations than lions, bears and giants, which he did not always overcome so that his life record is marred by mistakes and sins, he still remained a man after God's own heart because his heart was perfect. His example is therefore worthy of following, and his achievements as a young man should inspire higher ambitions and greater efforts.