The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David

by Alan Redpath

David was a shepherd and a king, a soldier and a poet, a sinner and a saint. He was also a man after God's own heart. In this Christian classic, Alan Redpath blends insights from 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and Psalms to demonstrate how God shapes those who are responsive to his love.
Despite his many faults, David became a man who wondrously understood and reflected the mind of God. Both men and women will find themselves identifying with David's struggles and triumphs, giving them a glimpse of how God is continually shaping them as well.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Christianity, Theology, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Reference

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[David M · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read!!!!!!!

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second, perhaps third time reading this book...it has a way of speaking to its reader no matter what season of life they are in. The pages hold the wisdom of someone who has devoted their studying to the life of David and blessed his readers with the opportunity to apply age-old principles to current every day life. There is not a chapter I have read that does not convict and encourage me to have a heart after God.

[W R Strahlend · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alan Redpath periodically goes into some heretical concepts. The majority of the book has some good and even great points, but with certain concepts and views that he has, I cannot recommend this book.

[James Pereira · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment; the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime.”

The manufacturing of a saint is the task of a lifetime — and reading this book has felt like it took a lifetime as well!
It's taken me the better part of a year to finally wrap it up. Phewww! NOW I CAN FINALLY READ OTHER BOOKS.

How I Got Into the Book
GLS, the book publishers, came to our office, and that's how I got acquainted with this book. Plus, as a church, we youth were doing a character study on David, so I figured it would be a good time to start reading it.

About the book

“What a man does when he is alone with his thoughts will decide what he is when he is in public with other people. It is there that either by self-indulgence a man’s character is wrecked, or by self-discipline a man’s character is made.”

The book is a series of 27-odd chapters spanning the life of David: before he was anointed, during his wilderness and running phase, and finally his reign as king and the mistakes and challenges he faced.
We go through the passages of Samuel, Psalms, and even Chronicles as Sir Allen helps us better understand David through different phases of his life.

Things I Liked About the Book

“There may be many alternative paths, but a false move at this point in your life could cause you to miss all His plan for you. If you take things into your own hands and try to run the situation yourself, the result will be disaster. You have to be still and wait if God has shot His arrows beyond you.”

The book has reflection questions as you read through the chapters, which really challenge you, and I was personally blessed by those moments of confrontation with the Word of God and the direction of my life — whether that be waiting on the Lord, trusting in His plans, or being occupied with His Kingdom and ministry.

How I Felt Challenged
It made me reflect on my role as I served in my local church — when I had to preach, lead worship, or even just attend worship team practice or Sunday services.
Am I just a band member, a cheerleader? A charismatic speaker?

I realized I wanted the Lord to minister to the people. I wanted them to encounter the true and living God!
I don't want them to go back home without getting a taste — a touch — of the true living God!!

It made me realize how being occupied with the plans and purposes of God is so much better than being occupied with the desires of the world.

Sir Allen Redpath really challenged me strongly through this book. It calls you to surrender your will to the Lordship of Christ and His purposes.

Things that Made Reading a Chore
The book is excellent in the way it challenges you and pushes you to reflect on your walk with the Lord.
That being said, there were numerous places where I struggled because of the dense language, long sentences, and old English phrasing.
It felt obfuscating and needlessly tedious to read, making it a chore.

I had to labour to finish chapters, and even yesterday, I had to push myself to finish the book — not because of anything of worth in the sentences themselves but purely to complete it.

Overall
I'd give this book 3 stars.
The material itself is excellent and challenges you in your Christian faith, but I’m going to minus stars for the laborious reading experience.

It took me the better part of a year, and while that might partly be due to my laziness or lack of motivation, I feel the writing style had a lot to do with it too.

This is my way of getting back at the author for putting me through that — ARRRGH!

Anyway,
cheers and I'll catch you guys later. It is a joy to finish this book and move on to better reads! :D

[Frank Chirico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books I've read in my life, this one has probably has been one of the most impactful, if not the most impactful. It's possible that I have come to the point in my life that I can accept the hard truths from the life of David. 17 years in the Lord is a long time, and yet, I learned so much that I didn't know before. I cannot emphasize this enough...EVERY CHRISTIAN MAN NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was significant for me many years ago but I didn’t finish it then. Today as it was then, the themes from this scripture about David resonate. Those who wait on the Lord, who worship Him and meditate on His word will see their character revealed and will be rewarded appropriately. Many years later there are some distractions that might cause others to miss the core message. It was good to go back!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over an extended period of time as I would pause to do other devotion series. Nonetheless, it’s so fruitful. There’s a lot of application to Christ from David. Plenty of calls to a godly lifestyle. Each chapter kinda reads like a mini-sermon as there are clear points, so it’s easy to follow. He does use some lofty language but it’s so worth it. I would recommend to anyone ever!

[David Cowpar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book full of application based on the episodes of David’s life. It loses a star for the lack of conclusion as it is left really loose and needs some tying up. Still there are many diamonds throughout!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can this book provides a trading look into your soul. Using the story of David, the author applies the life lessons and spiritual lessons David learns to each of us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

[Commissioner James Knaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make Way…

Red path is a quintessential theologian with dependable connections for us with David. There is much to learn and pray through here that will draw you to Christ…well worth the journey…

[Cara Capelouto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great application for the surrendered life. Narrow is the road and few find it. When the Lord reveals His will for
our life and we choose to surrender ours for His will; His joy that is unspeakable, taste and see that the Lord is so good.
!

[Bruce Beadell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book!!

A thought provoking and inspiring read. Mr. Redpath provides Biblical insight into the life of David that can be applied to the lives of men today - men who fail, then right themselves to become ‘Men of God.’

[Sam Omokan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting and meaningful insight into the life of David, and the things that made him the man he was. Also loved the way he related things to our New Testament covenant with Jesus Christ.

[Michael Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book into the study of David's life. It's unfortunate the author used the KJV, but it's an older book. Possibly future editions will use NIV or a similar modern standard.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

[Chris Risley · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times this book is incredibly insightful and encouraging. Other times it is veers so far into the allegorical method that it was hard to enjoy

[Buzz Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly practical and deeply convicting.

[Susan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep dive

Its almost like each chapter is a sermon. I learned about David and some of the deeper things of God.

[Mark Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

It made David a tangible, relatable figure. Really awesome read!

[Allen Steele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stygian

[Luke Deacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some wonderful insights, drawing out valuable lessons to be learned from the life of David. Much to learn from and be challenged by. I commonplaced a lot from it! It became slightly repetitive in "make sure you're completely surrendered to Jesus" and "ensure all you do is according to the will of God". Hey, if we're delighting in Christ and want to joyfully magnify Him in all we do, won't pretty much anything we do be pleasing to Him and "in His will"?! (As the saying goes, love God and go and do what you like. ;) ) I totally understand where Redpath is coming from, and it's helpful to have such sharp and heartfelt challenges, and I agree with Him in that our lives aren't as Christ-exalting as they should be, but in such a book, I don't think he should have been challenging your faith every few paragraphs! This book is not really "How to BE a MAN of God," (in a practical sense) but more "What does it mean to be a committed Christian?".

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redpath's work is devotional and carries a strong personal challenge in each chapter. I used it in my morning reflections and found it to be very inspiring.

The strengths of the book are that it is rooted in a biblical narrative (the life of David), it expounds relevant principles for my life and it is strongly committed to the belief that God's Word is our guide for this earthly journey.

These contents were originally sermons and contain a voice that reflects a pastor's calling to his congregation. David's incredibly diverse life offers fertile thought for anything from our holy pursuit to God to overcoming sin and weakness.

I recommend this to those wanting a devotional that is structured around a careful examination of biblical texts. It contains prescient research without having an academic feel and it resonated with me on many levels.

[Catherine Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Making Of A Man Of God by Redpath is one of my all time favorite books and is number 3 on my top ten list of books. Every time I read this book I learn more about how God works in our lives. Some of my favorite chapters are An Arrow From Heaven, Learning To Look To The Lord, and When God Says No. I love this quote: "David knew that all the question marks of his life were in the hand of God. He knew it was impossible to be in God's hand and in the enemy's hand at the same time. The gloom begins to disappear and fear departs as faith emerges in glorious triumph. This man is rising out of his testing and adversity to learn to put his utter dependence on the Lord."

[Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Alan Redpath's book I read. The first one was Victorious Christian Living (commentary on the book of Joshua). I enjoyed both very much. The author takes the application aspect of the Bible study on these books to a few levels deeper. It's far from superficial but very in-depth gleanings in these books. Most of the commentaries I read focus on interpretation of the books. Alan Redpath's focus on application, which I've found to be practical.

[Luis Villasenor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I ever read from Alan Redpath. Great book for every Man that would like to learn from the life of David.

[Jessika · Rating 3 out of 5]

never convinced yourself of your own righteousness , there are lessons to learn till the day we die. be humble & honest always.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read.

[Michael Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

[Michael Locklear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study of the life of David.

[Steve Savig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Study with Tuesday Morning Mens Breakfast with Peter Way, Glenn Gilbert, Rob Kingsley, Bob Licko, Bob Peterson, Terry Podmore, and Ardin Wright.
David keeps coming back to God...example for us all.