King David ruled in Israel for 40 years before old age took him and left Solomon on the throne. Before he died, though, he gave Solomon instruction - most notably in this verse, to be strong. The cultural norm of a "man" in those days (I am presuming) was probably pretty different from the one we have today - to be a man didn't necessarily mean to be imposing and able to take care of oneself. Really, being a man probably meant obeying God to the utmost of their ability, leading with God's wisdom, following in God's steps, and treating all with respect and dignity.
But you know what? A man like that probably was imposing, and rarely had to worry about taking care of himself, because following God entailed everything in that definition. And besides, God took care of him too.
In verses 3 and 4, David continues to instruct Solomon to follow God's ways and to bring justice on earth where possible. "Do this," David says, "so you may prosper, and God may keep His promise to bless my descendants forever."
God gave a promise, and if Solomon and his descendants had followed through courageously obeying God, blessings could have rained down on the whole earth. Not so, unfortunately, because they lost their focus on God - on the one who gave them everything they had. Look up to God, and for pete's sake, be a proper man!
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