Why Was David “A Man After God’s Own Heart”?
An often-confusing term concerning the Biblical character of David is the term “man after God’s own heart”. Have you ever wondered what that really means? What does that kind of heart even look like? This morning I read a verse from the writings of David that I believe perhaps best captures the meaning behind this phrase.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalms 16:2
David recognized that the only good in him was the God in him. Great godly leaders are willing to step aside from their own need for ego building and self-confidence and humble themselves before an almighty God.
I have heard before that President Theodore Roosevelt often went outdoors at night, looked up into the vastness of the universe, simply to remind himself of his humanity compared to the vastness of the universe. I think that is an important principle for all of us that claim a leadership title.
Next time someone asks you why David was called “a man after God’s own heart”, point him or her to Psalm 16:2.
14 responses to "Why Was David “A Man After God’s Own Heart”?"
In the original Hebrew, the meaning appears to be a bit different than how it is translated in English. The phrase "after his own heart" appears to be referring to the act of God choosing rather than to the man. Essentially, "after his own heart" means "according to his (God's) own choosing" which is intended to be a contrast to Saul who was the choice of the people of Israel. The verse could be more easily understood if it were translated into English as " Yahweh has sought out a man according to his own choosing…" or a bit more awkwardly, "Yahweh has sought out, according to his own choosing, a man…" Of course, David was a great man of God in many respects and extremely flawed at the same time. At our best, we are still in this category. From a merely human perspective, David's sins seem far more egregious than Saul's, but God's point is that he chose David (with all of his flaws) to be the king over his people and to be in the line that would bring about the Savior of the world. It was not dependent on David's holiness, but God's faithfulness. This is why David gets all the press throughout the rest of Scripture. Of course, all that you have said about David's repentance, his servant's heart and all the rest is true, and his constant faith in Yahweh as his delight and deliverer is a model for all believers.
Thanks for your great insight Noah. Great name too! (Gen 6:22…one of my favorite verses!)
Can,t we all really relate to David? His mistakes and his PAIN!!!
I am fascinated by David because I so appreciate his willingness to be
REAL! He sincerely loved the Lord, yet sinned and repented earnestly! He teaches us that there is no sin or trouble bigger than our God!
I can relate well Candace…I’m glad the Bible points us to real people and let’s us see their good and bad sides.
I believe David had a shepherds heart, he was a worshiper
and he delighted in doing Gods will, He forgave his enemies and didnt retaliate even when he had opportunity e.g. to kill King Saul, more importantly proved it, by taking Sauls grandson Mephibosheth into his family and making sure he was cared for for the rest of his life. No wonder he was a man after God’s own heart.
Great thoughts Josephine. I’m actually updating this post for next week, so good timing.
I’m doing some research on David and this very statement. You can say David from his youth had a shepherd’s heart. He learned how to protect his father’s sheep from predators. Many a night he stood watch. It is under those stars (which God the Father through Jesus Christ made and hung in place) that David looked up at each night. They are a wonder to behold. So when Samuel the prophet came to annoint the next king David the youngest was called in from the field. God told Samuel this is the one. I’m assuming that when David was annointed his heart turned from protecting sheep to following after God. Something special happened that night to change him forever. He wrote many of the Psalms from this perspective. He learned how to worship and who to worship. He learned what he was and what he could become. He wasn’t perfect and he did sin. His life is a portrait of success and failure. It is the battle with our flesh that everyone faces. David would want everyone to learn from his life and how to live after the heart of God.
Great insight Bob. Thanks for sharing.
David was indeed a man after God’s heart . Take a critical look at those circumstances he had the opportunities to kill his enemies and he spared them. Many of us will move in quickly without 2nd thought and destroy our enemies. This only remind me of Jesus on the cross. The way he quickly admits his faults without excuses. The way he forgives. The way he praises and celebrates God. The heart to build a house for God. His offerings- must be costly. Please read the book of psalms for more.
Great thoughts Kola
I had heard that David knew how to repent
this is why the bible says that “David was a man
after God’s own heart
It was David’s heart that made him a man after God’s own heart. I was only listed an example of that heart. Yours is right also!
I totally agree. When we look at David we can be reminded that as frail as we are we too can have that kind of heart. David was not perfect, but his heart was pointed towards God, even to the end of his days.
Consider some of his last words even after some of his greatest sins:
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
There is hope for even someone like me!
I often think that this statement was “overrated”! It was said early in Davids life. And if he was a man after Gods own heart, then it give me great hope to know how he turned out. A man full of all kinds of sin to wear that title give me a chance.
Love the verse that goes you shared. What makes us a man after Gods own heart? Letting God have control. Easier said than done, but I keep striving to give God the controls.
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