David a Man after God's Heart

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1908

David a Man after God's Heart

QUESTION 10 in The Bible Record for December is: How are we to understand the words of Acts 13:22, “David . . . a man after my heart,” in the light of David’s sin?

In answer we say:—

1. We are not to understand the words as indorsing or in any way approving David’s sin. In 2 Sam. 11:27 we read, “The thing that David had done displeased Jehovah.” In the next chapter we read also: “Wherefore hast thou [David] despised the word of Jehovah, who to do that which is evil in his sight? . . . Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house. . . . I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house.”

2. The quotation is taken from 1 Samuel, and the statement was based upon the contrast between Saul and David as it is brought out in 1 Samuel. There Saul is wilful and persists in his refusal to follow God’s direction through his prophet Samuel. In contrast with Saul, David manifests in every situation a disposition to be true to God as his overlord.

This statement must never be thought of apart from this contrast between Saul and David.

3. Not only in the early part of David’s life was it his general disposition to be true to God. All through to the end of his life did he show it to be his sorrow when he failed to meet God’s expectations.

This comes out in his great sin. His treatment of the prophets Nathan and Gad is in striking contrast with Saul’s treatment of the prophet Samuel. David was truly sorry for his sin, and brought forth fruit meet for repentance, while Saul was not sorry for his rejection of God. Here was the fundamental difference between the two men on which is based the expression, “A man after my heart.” David was a man after God’s heart even in his confession and repentance.—The Bible Record, January, 1908.