A Man After God's Own Heart

Introduction:

A.   This is a great compliment to David. What all is involved in such a commendation?

I.    What Is Not Involved

      A.   Does not mean God approved of all David's actions

            1.   Did many things wrong

                  a.   Adultery with Bathsheba, killed Uriah - 2 Sam 11

                  b.   Married many wives

                  c.    Numbered Israelites - 2 Sam 24

                  d.   Moved ark unscripturally - 2 Sam 6

            2.   Listing of sins gives us hope

                  a.   Even great men sometimes do wrong

                  b.   Must repent of same

            3.   Listing sins is testimony Bible from God

                  a.   Man would hide such

                  b.   Lord sought man with certain attitude - 1 Sam 13:14

                  c.    Shows man not immune to sin even after selection by God

                  d.   Compare with Saul's attitude - 1 Sam 13:13; 15:22-23

      B.   Not based on physical appearance

            1.   David was handsome - 1 Sam 16:12, 18

                  a.   God interested in more - 1 Sam 16:6-7

                  b.   Mere "sheep-herder lad"

            2.   Saul and Absalom also handsome - 1 Sam 9:2; 2 Sam 14:25

II.   What Made David "Man After God's Own Heart"

      A.   Humility

            1.   Was sheep-herder when anointed king

                  a.   Did not feel "too good" for job

                  b.   Continued doing thing he had been doing

            2.   Willing to play for Saul - 1 Sam 16:23

                  a.   Accepted role of palace servant

                  b.   Never made boast of "getting your throne"

      B.   Faith

            1.   Believed God would help him

                  a.   Israelites feared Goliath - 1 Sam 17:24

                  b.   David had complete faith and confidence in the Lord - 1 Sam 17:34-37

            2.   Willing to wait for God's purpose

                  a.   Refused to take Saul's life - 1 Sam 26:6-11

                  b.   Faith God would provide correct, honest way

      C.   Forgiving

            1.   Saul tried to kill David - 1 Sam 18:10-11

                  a.   David refused to kill God's anointed

                  b.   Continued to kill king's enemies

                  c.    Declined to marry king's daughter to further own cause - 1 Sam 18:17-19

                  d.   Close friend with Jonathan

                  e.   Was cautious but not vindictive - 1 Sam 19:6-10

                  f.    Refused to kill Saul regardless

            2.   Attitude stayed with him even as king

                  a.   Wept at Saul's death and slew Amalekite - 2 Sam 1:6-17

                  b.   Refused to retaliate when cursed by Shemei - 2 Sam 16:5-12

                  c.    Wept when Absalom killed - 2 Sam 18:33

      D.   Obedient

            1.   Accepted God's restrictions

                  a.   Wanted to build temple - 2 Sam 7:1-2

                  b.   God's reply - 1 Kings 8:18-19; 2 Sam 7:12-17

            2.   Loyalty tested in case of Bathsheba - 2 Sam 12:1-14

            3.   Loyalty passed on to Solomon - 1 Kings 2:3-4

Conclusion:

A.   David certainly wasn't perfect. We've seen that in the things in which he sinned. But he always was     willing   to make the necessary corrections in his life when his sins were pointed out.

B.   Do these same characteristics describe you? Would God praise you in these terms? If not, why not       change your life so that He would?