The repeated claim that David was a man after God’s own heart is offensive to many. David was the man who committed adultery with Bathsheba and then deceptively had her husband Uriah killed. David also had many wives and was a man of violence. When Saul asked for 100 foreskins in order for David to marry his daughter, David brought 200. When David defeated the Moabites who had protected his parents while he was fleeing Saul, he laid them on the ground and killed two out of every three and made the rest his slaves. The list of David’s “sins” is extensive and recorded in graphic detail.
[soundcloud id=’144650917′ height=’false’]Having said all of that, what would prompt God to go on record as saying that David was “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:33)? Perhaps the answer to that question will help us to see what God is really looking for in us.