A Man After God’s Own Heart

 By Christopher Lopez

The phrase, ‘ A man after my own heart ‘  is found in two passages of Scriptures (1 Samuel 13: 14) –  “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

 Acts 13: 21- 22-  And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin for forty years. “ And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.”

In the selection of the second king of Israel, Samuel was impressed with the appearance and stature of Eliab the eldest son. God however looks at the heart.( 1 Samuel 16:7) “ But those thing which proceed out of the mouth comes from the heart, and they defile a man. “ For out the heart proceed evil thoughts… (Matthew 15:8,9) “ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and  an evil man out of  the evil treasure brings forth evil things.(Matthew12:35) God choose David because God could see that David had the right heart for the job even in his youth, thus David was anointed as king (1 Samuel16:12,13)

David was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse from Ephrahite of Bethlehem Judah was given the task of taking care of the sheep belonging to his father, besides taking food to his brother, he was Saul’s armour bearer and played the harp to relief Saul when a distressing spirit disturbed him.  David was consistent in doing the routine thing in his life. He was humble and obedient to his father Jesse instruction, showing himself faithful in little things thus preparing himself to be a ruler over many things.  Matthew 25: 21 and 23. Are we praying constantly (1 Thess 5:17), studying our bibles regularly and diligently (2 Tim 2: 15), seeking every opportunity to good to all especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal 6:10). In being faithful in little things we are preparing ourselves for greater challenges ahead.

Goliath height was six cubits and a span which by today’s measuring standard would range from 9 feet 6inches to 9 feet 9 inches, weighing in at 400 pounds to 500 pounds, wearing a bronze helmet, coat of mail (body armour)- 200 pounds. Bronze greaves to protect his ankle and shin, spear like a weaver’s beam (about the length of a telephone pole), spear head 15 to 20 pounds. The sight of such a man made the hearts of the Israelites along with king Saul melt out of great fear and they were dismayed.

David left the sheep to the care of the sheep keeper,( 1 Samuel 17:20) came to the camp to bring  the rations as instructed by Jesse for his brothers Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah which he  left in the care of the supply keeper(1 Samuel 17: 22) upon discussing matters on the battle field after greetings his brother, David found out about Goliath. David enquired about the rewards that would be awarded to the one who killed Goliath. The man who slew Goliath would receive riches, total tax exemption and the king’s daughter in marriage. Eliab hearing this accused David of being irresponsible, proud, insolence in heart (stubborn, selfish and disobedience all rolled in one) David asked, ”What have I done now? Is there a just cause?” The same accusation was repeated by the soldiers before this matter was brought up to Saul. David volunteered to fight Goliath. Saul responded stating that David was not able to challenge Goliath as he was just a youth and his opponent was a warrior from his youth. David countered with ability to kill both lion and bear to protect the sheep under his care, after trying out Saul’s battle armour he found it difficult to move in it, he opted to his staff, sling and picked five smooth stones. David came to face the Giant with courage and in the name of the Lord of host, with a sling and stone he defeated Goliath. Before we take on any challenge there may be be those who are close to us who will ridicule, insult and pour cold water on our enthusiasm and desire to achieve greatness for the Lord. We must be brave move forward doing what is right trusting God whole heartedly even when it is not popular and goes against the majority.  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the Lord our God. (Psalms 20:7) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). God could see the future and God knew David was the man after God’s own heart Let me encourage all of us to follow David’s example in being courageous, trusting in God wholeheartedly and doing what is required towards the glory of God.

The phrase, ‘ A man after my own heart ‘  is found in two passages of Scriptures (1 Samuel 13: 14) –  “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

 Acts 13: 21- 22-  And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin for forty years. “ And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.”

In the selection of the second king of Israel, Samuel was impressed with the appearance and stature of Eliab the eldest son. God however looks at the heart.( 1 Samuel 16:7) “ But those thing which proceed out of the mouth comes from the heart, and they defile a man. “ For out the heart proceed evil thoughts… (Matthew 15:8,9) “ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and  an evil man out of  the evil treasure brings forth evil things.(Matthew 12:35) God choose David because God could see that David had the right heart for the job even in his youth, thus David was anointed as king (1 Samuel 16:12,13)

David was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse from Ephrahite of Bethlehem Judah was given the task of taking care of the sheep belonging to his father, besides taking food to his brother, he was Saul’s armour bearer and played the harp to relief Saul when a distressing spirit disturbed him.  David was consistent in doing the routine thing in his life. He was humble and obedient to his father Jesse instruction, showing himself faithful in little things thus preparing himself to be a ruler over many things.  Matthew 25: 21 and 23. Are we praying constantly (1 Thess 5:17), studying our bibles regularly and diligently (2 Tim 2: 15), seeking every opportunity to good to all especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal 6:10). In being faithful in little things we are preparing ourselves for greater challenges ahead.

Goliath height was six cubits and a span which by today’s measuring standard would range from 9 feet 6inches to 9 feet 9 inches, weighing in at 400 pounds to 500 pounds, wearing a bronze helmet, coat of mail (body armour)- 200 pounds. Bronze greaves to protect his ankle and shin, spear like a weaver’s beam (about the length of a telephone pole), spear head 15 to 20 pounds. The sight of such a man made the hearts of the Israelites along with king Saul melt out of great fear and they were dismayed.

David left the sheep to the care of the sheep keeper,( 1 Samuel 17:20) came to the camp to bring  the rations as instructed by Jesse for his brothers Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah which he  left in the care of the supply keeper(1 Samuel 17: 22) upon discussing matters on the battle field after greetings his brother, David found out about Goliath. David enquired about the rewards that would be awarded to the one who killed Goliath. The man who slew Goliath would receive riches, total tax exemption and the king’s daughter in marriage. Eliab hearing this accused David of being irresponsible, proud, insolence in heart (stubborn, selfish and disobedience all rolled in one) David asked, ”What have I done now? Is there a just cause?” The same accusation was repeated by the soldiers before this matter was brought up to Saul. David volunteered to fight Goliath. Saul responded stating that David was not able to challenge Goliath as he was just a youth and his opponent was a warrior from his youth. David countered with ability to kill both lion and bear to protect the sheep under his care, after trying out Saul’s battle armour he found it difficult to move in it, he opted to his staff, sling and picked five smooth stones. David came to face the Giant with courage and in the name of the Lord of host, with a sling and stone he defeated Goliath. Before we take on any challenge there may be be those who are close to us who will ridicule, insult and pour cold water on our enthusiasm and desire to achieve greatness for the Lord. We must be brave move forward doing what is right trusting God whole heartedly even when it is not popular and goes against the majority.  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the Lord our God. (Psalms 20:7) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). God could see the future and God knew David was the man after God’s own heart Let me encourage all of us to follow David’s example in being courageous, trusting in God wholeheartedly and doing what is required towards the glory of God.