After God's Heart

Have you ever wondered how a man like David was named by God, a man after God’s own heart? I have always been familiar with David’s story and some of his encounters. But taking time to read his full story has shown me how relatable our today is compared to the time of David. Often we think that our lives have to be a certain way and or close to perfect for God to react on our behalf. But going through David’s story you will begin to understand that God looks at our heart and our motives. Yes, there may be consequences for the things we do that are not godly. But through his story, you will see how a simple man like David put his trust in the Lord, and how the Lord called him, a man after God’s own heart.

David is introduced to us in 1 Samuel 16.  Samuel was sent to the home of Jesse. Jesse had eight sons, which one was going to be chosen as king. Naturally, Samuel looked at Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. But the very next verse I absolutely love what is said. Eliab was not chosen by God. The Lord says to Samuel not to look on his appearance or his height. For man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. From Eliab to the seventh son were all brought to Samuel. Samuel says to Jesse, is this all of your children? But there was one more, the youngest son, David that was tending to the sheep. Samuel calls for him to come.  The Bible describes David as ruddy and of a beautiful countenance. The Lord says to Samuel, Arise and anoint him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon David.

Before Samuel was called to the home of Jesse, we read that Saul was the King. However, Saul had turned his back from God. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. Now an evil spirit was troubling Saul.  I want you to think about how powerful worship is. Saul was being tormented and he had called for David to come and play music for him. As David played the harp, the evil spirits departed. I know at times of trouble in our own lives, we can learn from this example. How our mood can be changed by taking in the sound of worship through praise music. For me personally, I like to try and leave praise and worship music on all day throughout the house. It truly can change the atmosphere.

In the following chapter, we have the story of David and Goliath. Many are already familiar with this story. With it being a story of great importance I definitely want to include it.  Goliath was a giant that stood up against the armies of Israel. The Bible describes the men of Israel as sore afraid when they saw Goliath. David being the courageous self that he was, went to Saul and said he would stand against Goliath. Saul replies you can’t because you are only a youth. David then explains to Saul of a time when a lion and a bear came and took one of his lambs. David went after them, took the lamb from their mouth and slew them. David gave God the glory in that situation. He said the Lord delivered me out of the paw of the lion and the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine. David then got his armor on to go and fight Goliath but he could not wear it, he took it all off, grabbed his staff and choose five smooth stones out of the brook. He placed the stones in his shepherd’s bag and his sling was in his hand. He went on to defeat the giant.

Goliath mocked David. David standing firm in his faith says to him, you come to me with a sword and a spear, I come in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. David trusted in the Lord. He knew that this battle he was entering was not his battle but the Lords. David reached into his bag, took out a stone and slung it towards Goliath. The stone hit directly into the giant's forehead. Goliath fell upon his face to the earth. David had defeated the giant. There are many lessons in this account of David and Goliath. But the one that sticks out to me is how Saul says, you can’t because you are a youth. Goes to show you that God can and will use anyone He wants. If you are willing and available, God has your back.

Just think of the giants in your life now. May not be in the form of a Philistine man, but it could be any struggle that you are facing. Think of David. Several men in Israel took one look at their problem and said, no way! Resulting in them turning away. But David, great faith he had in our God. He stood firm, faced his giant and with God’s help defeated. One thing to keep in mind, God is no respecter of persons. We believe in Him and His ability to fulfill His will in our lives, we too can and will overcome the Goliath's that may enter our life.

When David returned from the slaughter, the women of all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. The women played and said Saul had slain his thousands and David his ten thousands. This made Saul very angry. Saul was jealous of David from this day forward. David escaped the casting of the javelin twice. David acted wisely and the Lord was with him. All of Israel and Judah loved him. When Saul realized this, he was afraid of him. Saul offered his daughter to marry David. The humble man David was replied with, Who am I? That I should be son-in-law to the king? David married Saul’s daughter, Michal.

Saul was at the point now to where he wanted to kill David. He sent messengers several times to him. His wife Michal, had set a disguise in the bed to make it as if David was sleeping. Michal had helped David escape. Her father was angry with her.  Saul had a son, Jonathan. Jonathan and David were the best friends. As some time passed, Jonathan and David had come up with a plan to see if Saul missed David or if he still meant him harm. Saul continued to pursue David, and David continued to flee.

In 1 Samuel 24:9 there is a mighty message that can be so intuned for today. Saul and David finally meet up. David spares Saul.  But first let us look at what verse 9 says. David says to Saul, why do you listen to the words of men who say I want to do you harm. Now, if you read David’s story, you will see that he is an honorable man. He fled for the safety of his own life from Saul. But there were others going back to Saul  saying David wanted to hurt him. In today’s world we have the same hear-say going on. Before casting judgement on someone, from something that you had heard from another man/woman, remember this verse. Too often people are getting upset with one another over jealousy and lies being told. It is really sad. We have to stand strong and not allow the negativity and gossip of others to rest in us. If you hear ‘words of man’ be sure to know the real deal before making up your mind about someone.  Personally I have been affected by this kind of bullying from others and I know several are daily. Anyway, Saul and David were in a cave and David had the opportunity to take Saul out. But chose not to. That was not the only time David choose to let Saul go unharmed.. He had spared Saul a second time at the hill of Hachilah.

Chapters later, David and his men had come home to find that the Amalekites had made a raid. During this raid, they had burned Ziklag with fire and had taken the women captive, including David’s two wives. David was greatly distressed but the Bible says that he encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. David inquired of the Lord if he should pursue their troop. The Lord answered him, pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all. Here we see Davids faith and trust in the Lord. He did not allow the attack on his land and family defeat him. Instead, he focused on God and trusted Him.  

David had received news of the death of Saul and Jonathan. He grasped his clothing and tore them, as well as the men with him. One of the greatest examples I love that comes from David, was his relationship with God. David communicated with God, talked with Him and asked Him questions. After hearing of their deaths, David inquired of God if he should return to Judah. The men of Judah came and anointed David King over the house of Judah.

Several chapters have gone by. I want to emphasize on the character of David. Saul was an enemy to David. Saul sought to have David killed numerous times. At the time of King Saul’s death, a man comes to David bragging on the news. This did not please David and  had the man killed. Saul’s son had become king over Israel. One night the new king was murdered in his home while in bed. These men came to David bringing him the news of the kings death. David again was not pleased, he reminds the men of what had happened to the one that came and shared the news about Saul. He then goes on to say that wicked men have gone into a jt man house to slain him. David had those men that brought the news killed as well. We have to understand that in those times that is how things were done. Although Saul and others were an enemy of David, David was not pleased to hear of the sad news. I believe David cared deeply for the family. Even though some wronged him and meant evil towards him, a soft spot remained in within David. Personally, I have had relationship go wrong. Family and friends that have wronged me and reacted in unpleasant ways that was hurtful. To be honest, it did hurt me, but it hurts worse not having them in my life. I know many can relate.

The tribes of Israel then came to David saying, in times past when Saul was king, it was you who led us out of and brought in Israel. David was made King over Israel. It was evident that the people could see the kind of man David was. In 2 Samuel 5:10 it says, David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him. What an awesome desire we should have, that others see that God is with us and we become greater. The glory goes to God!

The Lord spoke to a prophet, Nathan to prophesy to King David. I encourage you to read 2 Samuel 7. It is a beautiful description of God’s faithfulness. God had chosen David for many things. Now He has called David to build Him a home for the Ark. This was part of the word that the Lord had Nathan share. Nathan also goes to explain to David that the Lord said that He will be his Father. However, when David commits iniquity, He will be chastised. But God’s mercy and loving-kindness will not depart from him. God has the same love and compassion for you and I. He so desires for us to be willing vessels. David was willing and trusted the Lord. I believe God wants us to be at a place also to where we are willing, seeking Him, asking Him, spending time with Him and trusting Him.

Through everything that Saul had against David, David still had a soft spot for Jonathan. He inquired to see if there were anyone left from the house of Saul that he could show kindness to. Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth, who was lame in both feet. David had called for him to come and dwell in the house of David.  

Now we are going to get into David’s sin against Uriah. One evening David was walking on the roof of the King’s house when he saw a beautiful women bathing, Bathsheba. David sent and inquired about her to come to find out that she was the wife of Uriah.  He sent a messenger to bring her to him and they were intimate with one another. Bathsheba shortly after sent word to David that she was pregnant. David sent for Uriah. When Uriah had come, David asked him a few questions then told him to go to his house and wash his feet. Uriah left and but slept at the door of the kings house with all of the servants and did not go down to his house. Uriah was a dedicated man with outstanding character. He was faithful to his service to King David. David then invited him again, they ate and drank but did not go to his house. I think David was trying to get him to go be with his wife, but Uriah would not go. David had written a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. The letter stated, Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him, that he may be struck down and die.  When Bathsheba heard of her husband’s death, she mourned. When the mourning was past, David sent for her to be his wife. But this thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.

The Lord sent Nathan to David. He tells David that there were two men in a city, one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had many flocks and herds. The poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, that had grown up with him and his children. The lamb was family to this poor man’s family. A traveler had come to the rich man’s house. To avoid  using one of his own flock or herd, he had taken the poor man’s lamb to prepare for his guest. David was angry to hear this and told Nathan, as the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die. Nathan said to David, You are the man! The Lord was reminded David of all that He had delivered him from, then goes to tell David of the consequences that will be upon him. One being that He would take his wives and give them to his neighbors. The child that would be born from Bathsheba would die. When Nathan left, the child became very sick. He besought God for the child, fasted and laid all night upon the earth. Seven days later, the child died. David and Bathsheba did have another son together, Solomon. The Lord loved this child.

David’s story continues for several more chapters, all the way to 1 Kings 2. I encourage you to read through 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. So many lessons through his life. If you ever catch yourself in a ‘David moment’ remember God’s goodness and mercy is on you. Yes, there may be consequences to choices that we make. But know God is for you! He wants you to pursue Him, whether you are in the right or in the wrong. Don’t ever forget God’s plan and desires He has for you. Not sure what His plan is, seek Him through prayer, His word and Worship! Thank you for taking time to read this. I pray it was a blessing to you, as it was truly a blessing to me. Please feel free to share. God Bless!