In Acts 13, the apostle Paul preached in a synagogue at Antioch. He spoke about the history of Israel and how Jesus came into the world through this nation. In the context of this sermon, notice what is said about David: And when [God] had removed [Saul], He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (verse 22; cf. 1 Sam. 13:14).
God’s description of David as a “man after [His] own heart” can be perplexing if we do not read all that the Bible says about David. King David made a number of mistakes, the most notable of which are recorded in 2 Samuel 11, when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. David then had Bathsheba’s husband Uriah placed in harm’s way during battle so that Uriah would be killed in a way that appeared to be bad luck. If this account was a good representation of David’s character, he would have been a man God was displeased with (verse 27).
Yet, the Old Testament records much more about David’s life than this.
David trusted in God at times when no one around him did. This is demonstrated in his battle with Goliath. His confidence in fighting Goliath was rooted in his faith and knowledge that it was God’s will for him to defeat Goliath. When others saw a sure victory for Goliath, notice David’s attitude: Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today, the LORD will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD doesn’t save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hand” (1 Sam. 17:45-47). David demonstrated a heart full of faith in God.
David also had great love for God. He found joy in worshipping Him. Many of David’s psalms are similar to Psalm 34:1: I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
David was also repentant. When Nathan the prophet convinced David of how wrongly he had treated Uriah, David confessed, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam. 12:13). He not only confessed, but he was repentant (Psa. 51).
God wants hearts that are repentant like David’s. He wants hearts that are faithful, and rejoice at the opportunity to serve Him. He wants hearts that are full of integrity. Men and women who have such hearts can be of great use in His service.
May we all, like David, have hearts that please God.
– Michael Hickox