A Man After God's Own Heart

A Man After God's Own Heart

 

Jason Bryant

 

 

     David, eventually King David, warrior, champion, king of the unified nation of Israel, who began his journey as a lowly humble shepherd boy became the legend that entered the annals of history and the hearts of men.  He had the most menial of jobs in the eyes of men and society, yet it was important in sustenance and survival in the society and culture of his day.  David lives in the Bibles story imaginations of every young boy who attends Sunday school, who colors the biblical coloring sheets, and in the hearts of Hebrew and Christian peoples of the world. 

     David's progression, journey, or walk for a better choice of words began in the lush green and rock hills surrounding Bethlehem as he did the job his earthly father assigned him, he was a lowly shepherd in the eyes of his society and older brothers, despite their limited vision, and predisposed prejudices, David's task was one of divine design.  How you may ask?  How could a lowly, ruddy, runt of the family, a shepherd be in a position considered menial in men's eyes, but purposeful in God's ordained plan?   It was in the fields of Bethlehem David began his walk with God, purposefully being trained to protect, defend, and lead a flock.  Here he learned Who God is, God's character, and God's desire and expectations.  It was here that David had imprinted in his soul the Psalms he would gracefully write, an example being the 23rd Psalm.  It was here David learned to stand in the face of lions and bears and trust completely on Yaweh.  This training would have its introduction in the valley of Elah, where an army and king of Israel stood in fear of a giant named Goliath and his Philistine army. 

     Forty days, which is equated with spiritual trials and testing, the Hebrew army and king listened to a gentile heathen mock, ridicule and vainly profane the name of the God is Israel, the Holy King of the universe, and no Hebrew would challenge the enemy.  That is until a ruddy teenage shepherd boy delivered provisions to his brothers encamped with the army of Israel.  Now David had grown in spiritual stature, reverence, awe, and trust in God.  Seeing how many a lonely day and night tending sheep, God was his only companion.  DAVID KNEW THE LORD.  As David heard the mockery of Yaweh he challenged his brothers and army of Israel with questions of truth and rebuke.  David knew the Lord. 

^"26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
²⁷ And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
²⁸ And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
²⁹ And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
³⁰ And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
³¹ And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
³² And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
³³ And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
³⁴ And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
³⁵ And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
³⁶ Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
³⁷ David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee."    

       David gave testimony of God to the king of Israel, and the army of Israel, and David trusted the Lord because he knew the Lord.  Look at what happens next as David the man now, stood in defense of God: "
⁴⁰ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
⁴¹ And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
⁴² And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
⁴³ And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
⁴⁴ And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
⁴⁵ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
⁴⁶ This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.
⁴⁸ And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
⁴⁹ And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
⁵¹ Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled."
     David would face many more battles as he waited on God's perfect timing, will, plan and purpose, Samuel would anoint him as God's chosen king, whom the bloodline would later be in Christ Himself, and David would be chased and hunted by his own father in law as he awaited God's time, even after being anointed.  David would fall in sin, make mistakes, lie, murder and commit adultery, yet when confronted with his sin, he repented and confessed, and God would say of David, despite his sinful past, he's "A Man After My Own Heart."  What battles are you facing, am I facing?  Whatever they may be, we must trust in Who God is, what He promises, and remember to take our stand for Him, because the battle belongs unto the Lord.