David . . . A Man After God’s Own Heart

²⁰ “After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. ²¹ Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. ²² But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ ²³ And it is One of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!” Acts 13:20-23 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul in the first century reminded the early church why King David was so significant to Israel and the world. The true and living God of heaven and earth (Acts 17:24) chose and honored Israel by graciously redeeming Israel from Egyptian bondage (Acts 13:17; see also Exodus 6:1, 6-7; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Deuteronomy 10:14-15). Then, God cared for Israel through forty years of wandering around in the wilderness (Acts 13:18; see also Deuteronomy 1:31). Next, God destroyed seven nations in the Promised Land of Canaan and gave Israel their land as an inheritance (Acts 13:19; see also Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 14-19). All this took about 450 years (Acts 13:20). Israel was in Egyptian slavery for 400 years, and then Israel experienced 40 years of wandering in the wilderness desert. After 40 years, Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land and distributed the Promised Land to God’s people, Israel.

After Israel had settled in the Promised Land, God gave Israel judges to rule them until the time of the Prophet Samuel (Acts 13:20; see also Judge 1:21; 1 Samuel 3:19-20). Then, the people begged Samuel for a king (1 Samuel 8:19), even though the Lord God was Israel’s true King (1 Samuel 12:12). God appointed Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 1 Samuel 10:1). Saul reigned in Israel for forty years (Acts 13:21). Saul was tall and good-looking; he was an impressive-looking man (1 Samuel 9:2). God filled Saul with His Spirit to lead His people, Israel and God was with Saul (1 Samuel 10:5-7; 1 Samuel 11:6). However, Saul continually rebelled and disobeyed God (e.g., see 1 Samuel 13:13; 1 Samuel 15:23-26). Saul became prideful, impatient, and disobedient to God. Then, God filled Saul with an evil tormenting and injurious spirit (1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 18:10). Eventually, God replaced Saul with David and made David king (Acts 13:22). God filled David with His Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 23:2) and said, “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22, NLT; see also 1 Samuel 13:14).

Many different leaders fill the Old Testament books of First and Second Samuel, including Samuel, Eli, Saul, Jonathan, and David. Among all the godly people mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, no one who stands out more than David does. Born halfway between Abraham and Jesus, David became God's leader for all of the Israelites and the ancestor of Jesus the Messiah. David faithfully obeyed God (Acts 13:22), and he did what was just and right for all his people (e.g. see 2 Samuel 8:15; 1 Kings 11:34-38; 1 Kings 14:8). Moreover, David became the standard God used to judge all the kings of Israel and Judah.

What were the noble qualities that David possessed that pleased God? David possessed the Godlike characteristics of love, joy, loyalty, mercy, kindness, patience, courage, generosity, fairness, honesty, and non-retaliation -- as well as other God-honoring characteristics such as humility and repentance (see Exodus 34:6-7; Galatians 5:22-23). David showed justice, mercy, and fairness to his enemies, allies, and close friends alike. Even more, David remained loyal to Saul and his family despite Saul’s hatred toward David. David’s heart was sensitive to God’s leading, and he regularly sought God for guidance and strength in military and government decisions (e.g., see 1 Samuel 23:2, 4; 1 Samuel 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19, 23). Under David's leadership, Israel's kingdom grew and prospered.

Although David was the most righteous of all Israel's kings, he was still imperfect. David was human, and the books of Samuel do not hide David’s sins and failings. Mainly, Second Samuel records David’s sin and the temptation of lust, adultery, and murder with Bathsheba and Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11), and David’s sinful pride in taking a census to glory in the strength of his nation (see 2 Samuel 24). Despite David’s failings, he always repented to God when confronted with the truth (e.g., see 2 Samuel 12:13; 2 Samuel 24; Psalm 51). Throughout his life, David accepted God’s divine correction and chose to remain faithful and repented before a merciful God rather than to abandon God and try to survive on his own.

Despite David’s flaws and imperfection, First and Second Samuel reveal David’s genuine devotion and faithfulness toward God. David’s actions showed his true love and trust in God with all his heart, as the law in Deuteronomy 6:4-6 demanded. From King David came Jesus, the hope of Israel (Acts 13:23; see also 2 Samuel 7:11-16). Jesus is God’s Promised Savior of Israel and the world (Acts 13:23; see also Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-11; Acts 4:12).

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).