Solomon has been anointed king, and David’s life is now drawing to a close. Toward the end of his life, David gives his son a charge: “Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man” (1 Kings 2:2). David passes on to Solomon the wisdom he’s learned over his many years of following the LORD: keep the charge of the LORD, and walk in His ways. In this way Solomon may show himself to be a man after God’s own heart, like his father (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14).
Belonging to God
David wants Solomon to build his rule on the wisdom of submitting to the living God. David could have told Solomon any number of things, but he starts with the most important: submission to God.
There’s much debate over masculinity and femininity in our times. But without getting into the cultural milieu of such a debate, we can glean something from the words of David to his son. To be a true man (or woman) is to be God’s man. In other words, to be the person we are supposed to be is to be His—to belong and identify with Him. God is our source of provision. As believers, we do belong to Him, so let us walk before Him in truth with all our hearts and with all our souls (1 Kings 2:4).
This teaching is based on Ken Boa’s Handbook to Scripture.
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