David: A Man After God’s Own Heart

Temple Baptist Church - 2-12-2010

Acts 16:22-23; I Samuel 16:1-13

Introduction:

A. This morning, I want to look at one of the greatest of all Bible characters: David.

1. David’s name is mentioned 1139 times in the Bible. We read many verses this morning looking from the end of King David’s life back to the day of his anointing as King of Israel. There are many good way to look at the bible and this is one of the best. The Old Testament is prophetic in types and shadows while the New Testament brings those types and shadows to light.

2. I enjoy reading and have often taken a “sneak peek” at the ending then returned to the beginning and saw just how the author developed his story while knowing the outcome. It is a great way to study your bible. Look at the last mention of a particular subject and then, with that in mind, go to the first mention of the subject and watch as God reveals His will.

B. In our text verses, we find a “change in command” made by God Himself.

1. God’s Rejection of King Saul - 1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (Saul rejected the Word of the Lord. He understood fully what God had commanded. Saul was strong willed man and placed his desires above God’s will. He disobeyed the Word of the Lord.)

2. God’s Selection of King David - 1 Samuel 16:12-13 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. (13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

C. David was God’s choice of a king to lead His people. Acts 13:22-23 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

1. vs. 6 - God did not choose David according to birthright. The first born was given tremendous privileges. He can and will use anyone!

2. vs. 7 – God did not choose David according to outward appearance. It makes no difference what race, gender, or social status. God is no respecter of appearance. He can and will use anyone!

3. vs. 11 – God did not choose David according to age. He will use young, middle aged, or old. God is no respecter of age. He can and will use anyone!

D. Man has a tendency to look upon the outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:6-7) Samuel said “SURELY” this is the Lord’s anointed! The outward can certainly tell us certain things, but the outward can be a façade while the inward man is full of sin.

Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

E. David was God’s choice because he was godly in character. Verse 7 says, “The Lord looketh on the heart!” There was something special about David that his older brothers did not have, but God saw it.

Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Life and living for Christ is a heart issue and as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Salvation begins with the heart and ends with the heart. It is with the heart that man believeth unto righteousness (Salvation) and the battle for supremacy in the heart rages for the rest of his life (Sanctification and Service).

F. I want to look at the character of David that helped to make him a man after God’s own heart. Vs. 6-12 – notice the outward man verses the inward man. The key word here is the word heart. Character is a heart matter, not an inherent matter. You are not born with character. Character must be developed in an individual. I once read a sign that went like this: “You either have character or you are one.” (Character is developed, not born in you.)

CHARACTER The peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others; these constitute real character, and the qualities, which he is supposed to possess, constitute his estimated character, or reputation.

1. David Was A Content Man – vs. 11 - “he keepeth the sheep” vs. 19 – “which is with the sheep” (Verse 19 was after David had been anointed King! You will never be greatly used until you learn contentment!)

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

2. David Was A Controlled Man – vs. 13 – “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” - Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (If Jesus needed to be filled with the Holy Ghost, how much more do we need Him?)

3. David Was A Committed Man – vs. 16 – It takes commitment to be a “cunning player on an harp.” A harp is a difficult instrument to master with all of its strings and sounds. CUNNING, a. [G. See Can.] Knowing; skillful; experienced; well instructed. It is applied to all kinds of knowledge, but generally and appropriately, to the skill and dexterity of artificers, or the knowledge acquired by experience.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (You only gain experience by doing. Sitters never gain experience.)

4. David Was A Courageous Man – vs. 18 – “a mighty valiant man, and a man of war” - Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

1 Chronicles 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. (You will never be a man after God’s own heart until you are willing to fight for the right causes and pay the price of war.)

5. David Was A Confident Man – vs. 18 – “and the Lord is with him” - Psalms 27:4-6 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. (A man after God’s own heart is one who walks with the Lord and that walk brings about a confidence.)