A man after God's own heart

King David has always been known as a man after God’s own heart. On reading 1 Samuel 17 and 18 a few of David’s characteristics stuck out to me as attributes of a man of God.

In 1 Samuel 17 the army of Israel is fighting against the Philistine army, headed by King Saul. When Goliath is sent out to challenge the Israelites, everyone is afraid (1 Samuel 17:11, 24). They had forgotten that God was on their side and would give them victory. No one even thinks about God until David comes and sees Goliath defiling the Lord’s army (1 Samuel 17:26). David is not afraid of Goliath, instead he seems to be angry that Goliath is challenging the people of God. He knows that God is on their side and will give them victory. Goliath mocks him when he goes out with only a sling shot, but David knows that no weapon can match the power of the name of God (1 Samuel 17:45-46). David kills Goliath by the power of God because he was not afraid to stand up in the name of God.

David was also wise. God was with him and had given him wisdom (1 Samuel 18:14). The people of Israel saw his wise behavior and respected him.

Although he knew that God had chosen him as the king of Israel over Saul, David still respected Saul as the king and was humble before him. When Saul offered to give his daughter, Michal, to David for his wife, David did not feel that he was worthy of the honor of being the king’s son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:23). He was humble in recognizing that although God had chosen him to be king, God would give him the throne in His timing. He waited patiently, obeying and serving King Saul.

Although David was not perfect and there are times when his sin is recorded in the Bible, he was a man after God’s own heart. We need to strive to be men and women after God’s own heart. I believe that seeking wisdom and humility in our actions, trusting in the power of God for victory and not being afraid, and waiting patiently for God’s timing are characteristics that I want to have in my life. I want to strive to be a women of God.