How Could David Be Called ‘A Man After God’s Own Heart’

A man after God’s own heart is a man who answers to the definition given by God Himself: “This one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). God’s word commands the profoundest reverence and regard, and when convinced of wrong-doing, a person must be penitent to the utmost abasement. For example, when rebuked by Nathan for killing Uriah the Hittite because of Bathsheba his wife, David, though a king of Israel, confessed and forsook his sins (2 Samuel 12:13).

Brethren and sisters, there is a lesson for us here. Let us learn what king David left for us: what Shimei did for him (2 Samuel 16:5-8) and the advice of Abishai, son of Zeruiah (2 Samuel 16:9). Remember David’s words (2 Samuel 16:10).

Remember also what Absalom, his own son, did when he followed Ahithophel’s advice (2 Samuel 16:21,22), by lying with his father’s concubines before all Israel, but despite all this, what was David’s command toward Absalom (2 Samuel 18:13), and when he died (2 Samuel 18:33).

Also king David had a chance to kill Saul (1 Samuel 26:9-11), if he followed Abishai’s advice. Why did he not do it? Because Saul was the Lord’s anointed.

But even though David was the king of Israel, he confessed and forsook his sins. Towards God, he was “as a little child” while towards man he was “a mighty man of valour”. Thus he was a man after God’s own heart.

In considering his directions to Solomon concerning Shimei, Joab, etc, it must be remembered that king David sat in the seat of judgement for God, and the men in question had sinned against God in the matters of their offence.

If David had been personally vindictive, he would not have spared them as he did. As absolute monarch of Israel under God, he had the authority and power to take away their lives, which he would have done if characterised by the disposition suggested in the question. Instead of that, he allowed them to live as long as he himself was alive, but left the judicial punishment of their crimes to the wisdom of Solomon.

Bro Walter Wanyama Wasike (Mombasa, Kenya)