“’I’m about to go the way of all the earth,’” he said, ‘So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires of you.’” I Kings 2:2 NIV
Last week we began examining the advice King David gave his son Solomon, as he was about to become King.
This week we’ll unpack the second piece of advice to the wisest man: Act like a man.
What’s God’s plan for men?
Provider: He is to provide for his family “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (I Timothy 5:8) He needs to provide materially, emotionally, and spiritually but does not necessarily need to be the sole provider in any of these areas.
Good Household Manager: “He must manage his own household well and see that his children obey him proper with proper respect.” (I Timothy 3:4)
He very well may oversee all the day-to-day affairs of the home, or may delegate those duties to a competent wife. He will love and discipline his children to both earn and teach them respect.
Leader in the Home: Women are commanded to submit to their husbands in Ephesians 3:1. Women often find it easier when they have great respect for their husbands. A husband does not need to be perfect, but a man of great integrity commands great respect, and therefore, usually generates easier submission from his wife. “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanders or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
He Honors His Wife: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” I Peter 3:7
He Prays: “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” I Timothy 2:8
He Delights in the Lord’s Law: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
He is Watchful, Firm in His Faith, and Strong. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13 In my husband’s terms, “He must be stubborn.” The world will tell you to be flexible, but if you know what’s right, you need to stick with it.
He is Steadfast, Immovable, and Always Working For the Lord. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:58
When he does all that, he’s impossibly busy! (And women thought Proverbs 31 was daunting!)
He is also human and at points will need great grace from God and his wife.
King David instructed his son, a man rapidly becoming King, on how he should live.
How does how a King lives affect how he rules?
If he’s humble before God, he’ll be a leader for his subjects.
If he’s fair to his wife, he’ll be fair to his servants.
If he’s watchful and prudent in how he handles his personal affairs, he can be trusted to competently command the affairs of his people.
If he can manage his personal finances and relationships well, he can be looked up to with great respect to command his country.
David also knew from experience, the title of King is great and powerful. But it does not supersede the title of servant and beloved Son of the One True God.
David desired for his son to be a fit and just King, and a man who would witness for God with his life, acting as a man of God.
Reflections:
If male, in what areas of that list am I successful? In which do I need work?
If female, how can I acknowledge and commend the important men in my life on success in areas of integrity?
Set aside time in prayer for men developing these traits.
Prayer: Thank You Father, for your guidance and wisdom recorded in Scripture. Please help us be who You have called us to be. If male, help us to be men of integrity. If female, guide us in how to encourage and pray for the men in our lives. Amen.
All Scripture is from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, July 20, for the next post!