1 Kings 2:1-4

1 Kings 2:1-4, August 3^rd 2003

(Shew Thyself a Man)

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, [2] I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; [3] And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: [4] That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

Introduction: David was about to go home to be with the LORD. He was ready to pass the torch on to his son Solomon. God had truly forgiven the past adultery in David’s life and had turned the curse into a blessing. He had a godly son who he could trust to lead Israel. Solomon was a man of God.

I want to give you some characteristics that will mark a man of God:

He will be Strong: (v.2) A man of God will have a backbone. He will have the ability to take what comes his way and come out on top.

Romans 14:4b,

Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Joshua 1:6-9,

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. [7] Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. [8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. [9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

He will be Sold out: (v.3) A man of God will be for what God wants. He will be for God’s place, preacher and program. He will be behind what the Scripture authorizes. God’s men will put their heart, soul and strength into the service of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:10,

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

He will be Successful: (v.3b) A man of God will accomplish much for the Lord. He’ll get the job done. There will not be any twiddling of thumbs in this man’s economy. He will be a doer more than a talker.

Psalm 1:3,

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

He will be Steadfast: (v.4 “continue”)

Col. 1:23,

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

1 Tim. 4:16,

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Tim. 3:14,

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

1 Cor. 15:58,

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

He will have a Seed: (v.4b) A godly seed will be the inheritance of a man of God. If not children of his own he will have led souls to the Saviour.