Be Strong, and Show Yourself a Man

King David is on his deathbed. He has gone from being a blue-collar shepherd in a field to a king on a throne. He has killed giants, sinned horribly, and tasted the sweet grace of God. He has led quite a life. You can imagine his breathing is labored, and his skin is ashen.

He calls to his son Solomon to give him some last words. As H.B. Charles says, last words are lasting words — especially from a man of this magnitude. What will he tell Solomon? What parting wisdom will this great king have for him?

Be strong, and show yourself a man. (1 Kings 2:2)

Now as a man, that makes me want to stand up straight and square my shoulders at the world. That stokes the fire in me. But David isn’t inspiring bravado in Solomon. He’s actually calling him to bow the knee:

…and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping his statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies…(1 Kings 2:3)

David is telling Solomon not to be a good man, but to be a godly man. Follow the word of God, and be a man of joyful obedience. That’s what a man is. But David isn’t done. And here is where it gets really interesting:

…that the Lord may establish His word that He spoke concerning me, saying, “If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 2:4)

What David tells his son is that by his following God, many will get to experience the joy of knowing God. Many will sit in the shade of His grace. What I think he is really saying is this: “Solomon, how you live your life will have an eternal impact.”

Who is the ultimate man who comes to sit on the throne? Who is the King of Kings? Who comes through the line of David and Solomon? Jesus. David is saying that Solomon’s life will be a pointer to Jesus and that He will further the purposes of God. Now that’s a life worth living.

Men, let’s talk. Now, this charge to live a life for the glory of God and the good of His people is not gendered. Women have that same glorious call. But it is certainly for you.

What do you think a real man is? Someone who is strong? Someone who is successful and is a leader? Someone who can build stuff? Well sure, those are some good potential attributes of a man, but they are not the true essence of what it means to be a man. A real man is someone who bows the knee to Jesus and seeks to make Him known in every aspect of His life. A real man follows the statutes of God and learns His word. A real man will lead and influence others to do the same.

So men, is this who you are? Are you living for the King or are you living for your kingdom? Are you investing your life into honoring Him and blessing His people or are you seeking your honor and blessing?

We don’t need some cardboard example of what a man is. Let’s look to Jesus. Though He was full of strength, he chose to be killed in His great rescue mission for sinners like us. He was about His Father’s business, and about His Father’s plan. He is the perfect man, and He is the One to whom we look.

So where do we start? What if we’re a million miles away from being a godly man? Bow the knee. Admit it to the Lord. Seek Him in His word. He will not despise you or reject you. He loves to build men, and He loves to bless men.

You are not alone. There are men eager to sharpen, challenge, and encourage you in the journey. If you need a practical next step, come to Men’s Bible Study this Thursday (7/26) at 6a at either campus. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down with some men who are, imperfectly but earnestly, seeking to be strong and show themselves a man.

Be strong, and show yourself a man.