What Is It About David?

1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22

Very few individuals are spoken of with the depth of affection and divine approval that David receives. Twice in the Bible, once in the Old Testament and once in the New, David is described as “a man after God’s own heart.” But what does that really mean? What is it about David?

David wasn’t perfect. He failed, sometimes publicly, even catastrophically. He committed adultery. He orchestrated a death. He made poor decisions. Yet, despite all this, God chose him, affirmed him, and never withdrew His covenant love from him. Why?

1. David Loved God Deeply
He didn’t just obey God, he longed for Him. The Psalms overflow with passionate declarations:
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1.
“My soul thirsts for God.” Psalm 42:2.

He worshiped not out of ritual, but relationship. His heart pulsed with desire to know, please, and be near God.

2. David Was Honest Before God.
David didn’t pretend. He brought his full, flawed self before the Lord, joys, fears, sins, regrets. He confessed openly. Psalm 51, wept freely Psalm 6, and trusted fully Psalm 27.

He wasn’t perfect, but he was real, and God meets honesty with mercy.

3. David Revered God’s Voice and Presence.
He inquired of the Lord often. He danced before the Ark. He wanted to build God a house. He wasn’t seeking just the blessings of God, he craved God Himself.

4. David Aligned with God’s Will.
Acts 13:22 says: “He will do everything I want him to do.”

This was the heart of David. Even in failure, he returned to God’s will, not resisting correction but embracing it with humility.

David was a man of pursuit, not of perfection, but of God. A man who loved deeply, repented quickly, worshipped freely, and kept God at the center of everything.

Lord, give me a heart like David’s, a heart that loves You, seeks You, and responds to You. Help me to be after Your heart, not for what You can give, but for who You are. Amen.