1 Kings 9:4
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
God held up David's faithful life as the pattern for Solomon, with the assurance that as He had been with David so He would be with Solomon. To walk before Him is to live with a whole, undivided and honest heart expressed in upright conduct by doing all He commands and keeping His statutes and judgments. If Solomon so walked, his throne and kingdom over Israel would be established forever in fulfillment of the promise to David, a promise entirely conditional on continued faithfulness. Continued obedience would keep the temple standing in splendor as a sign of divine favor and make Israel a wise and understanding people and a light to surrounding nations, while turning to other gods would bring rejection, ruin of the temple, and captivity. Solomon failed this charge by forsaking God for idols through idolatrous marriages and worldly alliances, and the same charge to serve faithfully in the appointed place in obedience to God's commandments rests on everyone who takes responsibility in His work.
The Promise and Condition
God set David's walk before Solomon as the pattern he was to follow, with the assurance that as He had been with David so He would be with Solomon. After the dedication of the temple God urged Solomon to follow Him as David had done. Solomon's continued blessing and the standing of his reign depended on that walk.
To walk before God is to walk in integrity of heart and in uprightness. Integrity of heart means an undivided, whole and honest heart, and uprightness means upright conduct before Him. It is living with integrity and uprightness of heart before God.
That walk requires doing according to all that God has commanded. It requires keeping His statutes and His judgments. Obedience must extend to all He commands, with faithfulness shown in keeping His commandments, statutes, and judgments.
If Solomon so walked, God would establish his throne and his kingdom over Israel forever. This would fulfill His promise to David of an enduring royal line. The promise was entirely conditional on continued faithfulness and obedience.
Warning, Fulfillment, and Application
If Solomon remained faithful and Israel obeyed God's commandments, the temple would stand in splendor as a lasting sign of God's special favor, prosperity and blessing. Israel was set apart among the nations by preserving true worship through keeping God's commandments. Kept in that obedience, with his throne established as God had been with David, Solomon's reign would help make Israel known as a wise and understanding people and a light to the surrounding nations. Turning away to worship other gods would bring judgment on Israel, rejection of the temple, and the foretold calamity and captivity. Because Israel sinned and departed from God, that calamity came centuries later and the temple was destroyed.
Turning from God's law separates people from Him and from heaven. God does not separate Himself from them, but they turn away from Him. Solomon failed to keep this charge, though he had received remarkable manifestations of divine power, had built the temple, and was again exhorted after its dedication to remain faithful. He forsook God, broke the command against following other gods, and turned to idols through marriages to idolatrous women and worldly alliances that displeased God. His history shows God's people are blessed while they remain distinct from the world.
The charge and its promises apply to everyone who accepts responsibility in God's work. They are to serve faithfully in the place God appoints. Strength of character shown in obedience to God's commandments and statutes is to be honored. Power exercised beyond its proper limit becomes a snare and can ruin the soul.