The authors of books in scripture refer to
King David as "the man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7; Acts
13:22). Christians regard that statement as being among the highest compliments
God gives a human being. It is the declaration that David was concerned about
God's core issues and true nature.
David was not concerned about giving the physical appearance of surrendering to
God. To David, obedience to God was not just about the appropriate words and
appropriate acts. To David, it certainly was not about "going through the
motions."
To David, surrender to God was about honoring God because (1) of His greatness
and (2) His worthiness. To David, God deserved to be honored at all times in all
ways. To David, God knew what He was doing even when David did not. The reason
David refused to kill King Saul when he had opportunity was "he is the Lord's
anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6; 26:11). Was King Saul making David's life miserable?
Yes! Was King Saul a threat to people David loved? Yes! Would King Saul kill
David when given opportunity? Yes! Had David already been anointed to be a
future King of Israel? Yes!
Was any or all of that justification for David killing King Saul? No! Why? King
Saul was anointed by God through Samuel to be King of Israel! Translation: God
knows what He is doing! See David's statement in 1 Samuel 26:6-12 and note verse
10. David said God will determine when and how King Saul dies. Saul's death was
not David's business! It was God's business, and only God's business!
David teaches the Christian of today a much needed lesson. Especially among 2nd
and 3rd generation Christians (though this attitude can be found in any
Christian), the conviction sprang to life that only the "ideal" Christian can be
the person closest to God's heart. The concept of "ideal" often involves
"correctness" (that is commonly a loyalty to local preferences and traditions)
in perceived "technicalities."
David certainly did not fit that concept of the "ideal" person who followed God.
As examples, consider the manner that he took the Ark to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel
6:12-19 [there were no guidelines for this event!] and David's adultery with
Bathsheba that also resulted in his murder of Uriah [her husband] (2 Samuel 11).
David was the man after God's own heart (1) because he never, never questioned
God's position over him, (2) because he was willing to accept responsibility for
his mistakes, and (3) because he always was willing and ready to repent.
David was not perfect! He made huge mistakes. However, David always wanted the
great and worthy God to be in control of his life. For David, life without God's
presence and leadership was unthinkable! He humbly sought forgiveness, not
arrogantly declared personal greatness. Read Psalms 51.
As a Christian, realize (1) we all depend on God's mercy and forgiveness and (2)
always be ready to repent when you fail. It is the penitent person who is
totally dependent on God's mercy and forgives who is the man or woman after
God's own heart.