Today we begin the “Life of David” series. David’s story is the longest and most detailed biography of the Old Testament. He is the archetype for every other Israelite king. When he dies, he leaves Israel with the longing for another king like him. King Jesus will be that perfect king. Jesus will perfect David’s every virtue and correct his every wrong.
David is the only one in all of Scripture to be called “a man after God’s own heart.” What does it mean to have a heart after God? This is our question today.
We pick up David’s story when Israel’s first king, Saul, is still reigning. The prophet Samuel is grieving over Saul’s disqualification as king. Why has God rejected Saul? For that matter, why would God reject anyone?
1 Samuel 16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” God has found someone. What was he looking for?
- The Lord chooses (not us).
- The Lord sees (so much more than us).
- The Lord anoints (we listen, trust, and obey).