What does it mean to be a real man? Some people might say it means being strong, brave, confident, and successful. Others might say it means being kind, compassionate, faithful, and humble. But what does the Bible say about being a real man?

One of the most striking examples of a real man in the Bible is Samuel, the prophet and judge of Israel. Samuel was a man who obeyed God, spoke the truth, and did not shy away from doing the dirty work.

In 1 Samuel 15:32-33, we read about a dramatic scene where Samuel confronts Agag, the king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a wicked and violent people who had attacked Israel many times (1 Samuel 15:2-3). God had commanded Saul, the king of Israel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (1 Samuel 15:3). But Saul disobeyed God and spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle (1 Samuel 15:9).

When Samuel found out about Saul’s disobedience, he was angry and grieved. He rebuked Saul for his sin and told him that God had rejected him as king (1 Samuel 15:14-29). Then he went to meet Agag, who had been brought to him as a prisoner.

Agag came to Samuel cheerfully, thinking that he had escaped death (1 Samuel 15:32). But Samuel was not fooled by his appearance. He said to Agag, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And then he did something shocking: he hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord (1 Samuel 15:33).

What can we learn from this story?

 1. We can learn that being a real man means being obedient to God, even when it is hard or unpopular.

Samuel did not compromise with God’s command or show mercy to God’s enemy. He did not care about what people thought of him or how he felt. He cared only about what God wanted him to do.

2. Being a real man also means being willing to do the dirty work, even when it is unpleasant or painful.

Samuel did not delegate the task of executing Agag to someone else. He did it himself, with his own hands. He did not enjoy it or take pride in it. He did it because it was necessary and right.

3. Being a real man does not mean being cruel or violent for no reason.

It means being courageous and faithful in fulfilling God’s will, even when it involves suffering or sacrifice. It means being a man after God’s own heart.

Are you a real man? Do you obey God’s commands, even when they go against your desires or opinions? Do you speak the truth, even when it is unpopular or risky? Do you do the dirty work, even when it is unpleasant or painful? Do you love God more than anything else? The world today needs more real men- committed to God with a resolve like Samuel.

If you want to be a real man, follow the example of Samuel. Obey God, speak the truth, and do the dirty work. That’s what real men do.

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