The exhortation continues… as King David charges his son and soon to be king, Solomon, to not only be strong in his convictions but also to ‘act like a man’.

I Kings 2:2
“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man,”

So what does ‘act like a man’ (NIV) even mean?

Other translations read….

– Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. (NKJV)

– Be strong and be courageous like a man. (HCSB)‬‬

– Be strong, and show yourself a man. (ESV)

This part of David’s exhortation is to take action and not to be passive. It often takes courage to take action. Solomon should expect some push back, probably from those who would wish him to be passive.

Pastor Robert Lewis, creator of “Men’s Fraternity”, teaches men that a first and primary step in biblical manhood is to reject passivity. It takes courage to reject passivity and Solomon will need that kind of courage. David has now charged his child to both be strong in his convictions and then to have the courage to act on his convictions.

Question to Consider: When and where are you most likely to become passive?