Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
2:2-4 David’s advice to Solomon combined the spiritual and ethical standards of Deuteronomy, the standards of the covenant through Moses (see Lev 18:4-5; Deut 5:33; 6:4-5; 8:6; 10:12), and the promises of the covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16, 25). If Solomon would keep God’s standards of righteousness, the promises would be transmitted to his heir, who in turn could claim God’s blessings and convey them to subsequent generations (Ps 89:3-4, 20, 24, 27-37). • The preeminent heir of David, the Messiah, would embody true righteousness (Isa 11:1-5), receive the full benefits of the covenant (Jer 33:14-16), and enact a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 34:24-31; 37:24-28). The New Testament reveals Jesus as that son of David who has come (Matt 1:1; Rom 1:1-4); he will come again to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and bless all people (Luke 1:67-79; Gal 3:26-29; Rev 3:21). 2:2 Take courage and be a man: God and Moses had given this same charge to Joshua at the time of the conquest (Deut 31:6-7; Josh 1:6-7, 9). Joshua and Hezekiah gave this admonition to Israelite forces when facing enemies (Josh 1:16-18; 10:24-28; 2 Chr 32:7). David had learned the value of godly courage (Pss 27:13-14; 31:23-24). When Paul urged Christians to be courageous (literally be men) and strong (1 Cor 16:13), he used the same words as the Greek Old Testament uses for the charges by Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, and the Lord. An interesting parallel is found in the account of Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom. As he was led into the stadium facing execution, Polycarp heard a voice from heaven saying, “Be strong, Polycarp, be a man!” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9:1).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
2:2-4 David’s advice to Solomon combined the spiritual and ethical standards of Deuteronomy, the standards of the covenant through Moses (see Lev 18:4-5; Deut 5:33; 6:4-5; 8:6; 10:12), and the promises of the covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16, 25). If Solomon would keep God’s standards of righteousness, the promises would be transmitted to his heir, who in turn could claim God’s blessings and convey them to subsequent generations (Ps 89:3-4, 20, 24, 27-37). • The preeminent heir of David, the Messiah, would embody true righteousness (Isa 11:1-5), receive the full benefits of the covenant (Jer 33:14-16), and enact a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 34:24-31; 37:24-28). The New Testament reveals Jesus as that son of David who has come (Matt 1:1; Rom 1:1-4); he will come again to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and bless all people (Luke 1:67-79; Gal 3:26-29; Rev 3:21). 2:2 Take courage and be a man: God and Moses had given this same charge to Joshua at the time of the conquest (Deut 31:6-7; Josh 1:6-7, 9). Joshua and Hezekiah gave this admonition to Israelite forces when facing enemies (Josh 1:16-18; 10:24-28; 2 Chr 32:7). David had learned the value of godly courage (Pss 27:13-14; 31:23-24). When Paul urged Christians to be courageous (literally be men) and strong (1 Cor 16:13), he used the same words as the Greek Old Testament uses for the charges by Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, and the Lord. An interesting parallel is found in the account of Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom. As he was led into the stadium facing execution, Polycarp heard a voice from heaven saying, “Be strong, Polycarp, be a man!” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9:1).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
I go the way of all the earth: be of good courage therefore, and be a man;
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
I am going the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man;
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
“I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man;
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
I am going the way of all the earth: so be strong and be a man;