Why was David considered "a man after God's own heart"? CQ Bible 101

Although Saul, King over Israel, had been chosen and appointed by God, he repeatedly fell victim to pride and other defects of character. And so, in 1 Samuel we read that God decided to replace him:
(1Sam 13:14) But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

If you’re familiar with this story, you’ll know that it was David whom God had chosen. David, who faced Goliath, who soothed King Saul with his music, who befriended Saul’s son Jonathan; and yet the same David who desired Bathsheba, actively attempted to cover this up, and eventually arranged to have her husband die to cover David’s wrongdoing.

How is all of this possible with someone described as “a man after God’s own heart”?

There are two key aspects that we’ll highlight today, beginning with Actively Seeking the Lord’s Will.

One of the most obvious aspects of this is the fact that after David was selected by God, he waited for approximately 15 years before actually taking the throne in Judah; and an additional 7 1/2 years before reigning over Israel as a whole! That is not the patience of an ordinary individual who has been promised power. Furthermore, he evaded numerous attacks on his life from Saul and yet he refused to raise a hand against Saul, because Saul had been chosen by God.

It didn’t matter to David that God had decided to replace Saul – he still believed it was proper to wait until God was ready to place him on the throne. Then, in 1 Sam. 26, there is a second example of David sparing Saul’s life, despite the urging of those closest to him. These are not the actions of someone who is motivated primarily by fleshly concerns.

In fact, as we read throughout the books of Samuel, we find numerous examples of David seeking guidance from the Lord:
[1Sa 23:1-4 ] Then they told David, saying, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors." So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah." But David's men said to him, "Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?" Then David inquired of the LORD once more. And the LORD answered him and said, "Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand."

David’s main desire was to do God’s will in all things, and he actively made an effort to be directed by God.

The second aspect we want to highlight, perhaps even more important, is that David was willing to admit his mistakes, to learn from them, and to accept the consequences of his actions. David’s most famous failing was his sin with Bathsheba, fathering a child from that union, and then repeatedly attempting to cover it up (and, worse, eventually causing her husband to die in battle). This combination of repeated poor judgment is one of the more dreadful acts recorded in the Bible – so how can we reconcile this with ‘a man after God’s own heart’?

The key is that God does not require people to be perfect. This would be impossible during the present era of sin and death. Instead, he requires that we do our best and, when we fall, that we repent of our sins, make an effort to do better, and accept the consequences of our actions.

When David was confronted by the prophet Nathan and forced to face his sins, the first response we see recorded was David’s admission in 2 Sam 12:13: “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan’s response: “The Lord has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” But, even though David’s sin was forgiven, still it was God’s judgment that he would lose his child (2 Sam 12:14). Even though David fasted and lay on the ground for seven days in the hopes of obtaining God’s mercy, he still lost this child. But David did not grow bitter and angry at the Lord – he did not feel that God ‘owed’ him anything for his repentance.

Contrast this with his predecessor, King Saul. Though Saul was commanded to destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites, he kept the best of the livestock. And the worst part is his response when confronted with this sin (1 Sam 15):

“Look, I did what you asked!”, as if hoping that by saying this nobody would notice.
Then, when confronted, he shifts the blame in verse 15 – “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice” to God, but we destroyed the rest!

When we see sin today, how often do we see it followed up with remorse, with repentance, and with acceptance of the consequences of those actions?

That is why David was a man after God’s own heart.

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