Sir Edmund Hillary is perhaps the best mountaineer to have ever lived.

He was the first to reach the highest peak on earth, the summit of Mt. Everest. He mastered heights all over New Zealand and the Himalayas and explored both the North and South Poles. For his efforts, the Queen of England knighted him.

But being renowned for his incredible endurance wasn’t enough. Hillary’s heart for God led him into the undeveloped areas of Nepal where he spent years building schools and hospitals for the poor.

Hillary’s life is remembered for his conquering of uncharted territories, both high and low. Very little memory remains of the moments where he backslid down mountains or otherwise. But even with his passion, there were times when his footing fell.

King David also had a heart for climbing. But his climb was solely into God’s presence. Here, in 1 Kings, God Himself recalls how David kept His statutes and commands.

Yet, David didn’t. He had a handful of moments in life when he made serious slides. But David’s willingness to repent, his passion to get back up and obey again, gave him a stellar reputation in God’s memory.

In today’s verse, God promises Solomon, and us as well, that when we are committed to the climb, He will bless us.