“Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”
1 Kings 2:2-3
When someone faces a tough situation, we often hear this phrase, “Man up!” However, when King David told his son to be a man, he was not talking about one difficult patch, but his whole life.
By the time Solomon received these instructions, his father had already experienced God’s faithfulness in the sheep fields, the wilderness, and the palace. For seventy years David had proved God was trustworthy. In fact, the many psalms he had already written proclaimed God’s compassion and His unfailing love. David knew about the pain of sin and God’s restoration; he knew the care of a Shepherd who led him beside still waters. David had experienced the protection of a Rock and Fortress in times of trouble, and he had seen the heavens declare the glory of God.
No wonder David strongly admonished his son to follow God’s requirements—he knew the instructions of the Lord were perfect. After all, David is the one who wrote, teach me your ways oh Lord and show me the path of life. David knew his son would succeed only if he stayed in close relationship with the Lord his God.
It takes courage to be a man, but David showed Solomon how:
Be strong and let your heart take courage…all you who put your hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24
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