Home Content Index Books of the Bible 1 Samuel Man after God’s heart
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To understand why David was a man after God’s own heart, we need to see what characteristics he had to qualify for such an exalted description. In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul speaks of God’s feelings about King David: “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’” (Acts 13:22). The answer to why David was considered a man after God’s own heart is found right in the verse: David did whatever God wanted him to do. An obvious question is how could God still call David a man after His own heart when David committed such terrible sins, including adultery and murder?
We learn much of David’s character in the book of Psalms as he opened up his life for all to examine. David’s life was a portrait of success and failure, and the biblical record highlights the fact that David was far from perfect. But what made David a cut above the rest was that his heart was pointed toward God. He had a deep desire to follow God’s will and do “everything” God wanted him to do. He was a man after God’s own heart. Let’s look at some characteristics of David’s life to discover what that entails:
Part of why David is called a man after God’s own heart is that he had absolute faith in God. Nowhere in Scripture is this point better illustrated than in 1 Samuel 17 where David as a young shepherd boy fearlessly slew the Philistine, Goliath. Shortly before the duel, we see direct evidence of David’s faith when David says, “‘The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the LORD be with you!’” (verse 37). David was fully aware that God was in control of his life, and he had faith that God would deliver him from impending danger. How else would one venture into a potentially fatal situation with such calm and confidence? David knew early on in life that God was to be trusted and obeyed. As we see in Scripture, David’s faith pleased God, and God rewards David for his faithfulness.
Another reason David was a man after God’s own heart is that he absolutely loved God’s Law. Of the 150 psalms in the Bible, David is credited for writing over half of them. Writing at various and often troubling times in his life, David repeatedly mentioned how much he loved God’s perfect Word. We find a beautiful example of this in Psalm 119:47–48: “For I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.” It is not hard to see his complete adoration for God’s Word. Also notice how David “meditates” on God’s statutes. God granted David understanding and wisdom through daily meditation. We would do well to not only read God’s Word but also think about it throughout the day, for God loves us to think about Him. “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways” (Psalm 119:2–3).
David was a man after God’s own heart in that he was truly thankful. “I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 26:6–7). David’s life was marked by seasons of great peace and prosperity as well as times of fear and despair. But through all of the seasons in his life, he never forgot to thank the Lord for everything that he had. It is truly one of David’s finest characteristics. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4, ESV). As followers of Jesus Christ, we would do well to follow David’s lead of offering praise through thanksgiving to our Lord.
After he sinned, David was truly repentant. David’s sin with Bathsheba is recorded in 2 Samuel 11:2–5. The mighty fall hard, and David’s fall included adultery, lying, and murder. He had sinned against God, and he admits it in 2 Samuel 12:13: “David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.’” But admitting our sin and asking for forgiveness is only half of the equation. The other half is repentance, and David did that as well. Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance to God: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" (Psalm 51:1–2).
In conclusion, David was a man after God’s own heart because he demonstrated his faith and was committed to following the Lord. Yes, his faith was tested on a grand scale, and he failed at times. But after his sin he sought and received the Lord’s forgiveness. In the final analysis, David loved God’s Law and sought to follow it exactly. As a man after God’s own heart, David is a role model for all of us.
For Further Study
A Man After God’s Own Heart: Devoting Your Life to What Really Matters by Jim George
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the study of biblical narratives and theological concepts, I find the exploration of figures like David to be particularly fascinating. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to shed light on the nuances and profound meanings embedded in passages like the one discussing David as a man after God's own heart.
The article revolves around the characterization of David as a man after God's own heart, drawing insights from various biblical passages, especially Acts 13:22. It addresses the apparent paradox of God favoring David despite his grave sins, such as adultery and murder. The key lies in David's unwavering commitment to doing God's will, making him distinctively exceptional.
The first concept highlighted is David's absolute faith in God, exemplified in the account of his fearless confrontation with Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. This event serves as direct evidence of David's trust in God's control over his life. The article emphasizes how David's faith pleased God and was rewarded, illustrating the significance of faithfulness in biblical narratives.
The second concept delves into David's love for God's Law, evident in his authorship of over half of the 150 psalms in the Bible. Psalm 119:47–48 is cited to showcase David's profound adoration for God's perfect Word, underlining the importance of meditating on God's statutes for understanding and wisdom.
The third concept explores David's gratitude and thankfulness, a prominent characteristic in his life, as seen in various psalms. Psalm 26:6–7 highlights David's practice of proclaiming God's praise and acknowledging His wonderful deeds, emphasizing the role of thanksgiving in worship.
The fourth concept touches upon David's repentance after his grievous sins, particularly his affair with Bathsheba. The article references 2 Samuel 12:13 and Psalm 51, where David confesses his sins and seeks God's mercy and forgiveness. This concept underscores the significance of genuine repentance as a vital aspect of one's relationship with God.
In conclusion, the article portrays David as a man after God's own heart due to his unwavering faith, love for God's Law, gratitude, and genuine repentance. Despite his imperfections, David's commitment to following the Lord and seeking forgiveness makes him a compelling role model for believers.
For those seeking further study on the topic, the article suggests additional resources, such as the book "A Man After God’s Own Heart: Devoting Your Life to What Really Matters" by Jim George and encourages the use of Logos Bible Software for a more in-depth understanding.
