“A Man After God’s Own Heart”

God, “testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.’” (Acts 13:22) By this, David became a man of great and lasting influence. He left a legacy of cities (both Jerusalem, 2 Sam. 5:7 and Bethlehem. Luke 2:11), of generations of kings (2 Chron. 1:1; 34:1,2) and ultimately the Messiah: Jesus, the son of David (Matt. 21:9-11). To this day David is one of the most popular names for our boys. 

His legacy with God was a great blessing for Israel for generations to come: “I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake’” (2 Sam. 5:7) even in times of national unfaithfulness. “Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever” (2 Chron. 21:7).

He reflected the mind of God in his righteous indignation at the outrages of Goliah (1 Sam 17:24-30), in his respect for God-ordained authorities (1 Sam. 26:9-12), in his humility (2 Sam. 5:12), and righteous (2 Sam. 8:15). But maybe most strikingly and famously, in his confessions of sin when he erred. In his sins he confessed, “But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have acted very foolishly” (2 Sam. 24:10) and “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam. 17:13) Obedient, respectful, humble, confessing — examples for us in the ways of God.