As we read the accounts of King David, one thing that stands out about him was that he was “a man after God’s own Heart.” In fact God Himself gave him this description. Paul summarized the story this way: "And when He had removed him [Saul], He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will'" (Acts 13:22).

What does it mean to be a person after God’s own heart? What can we do so that we can be described in the same way? We all want to strive to be like God, but what made David so special that he would earn that compliment from God?

David knew who the Creator was

Because David was a shepherd of sheep, he spent many hours in God’s creation. He knew that the beauty he saw around him was created by someone bigger than He was. David wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalms 8:3-4). Get to know God through His creation!

David trusted God

When he was fleeing from King Saul, David trusted God to deliver him. And when David had the opportunity to kill King Saul, he did not, because David knew and trusted God! God was in charge, not Saul. "Trust in the LORD . . . feed on His faithfulness . . . Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him" (Psalm 37:3-5). David himself trusted in the LORD. Always trust God in every circumstance, because He cares deeply for you!

David loved God’s law!

David absolutely loved God’s law. David repeatedly mentioned how much he loved God’s perfect law! “For I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees” (Psalm 119:47–48). David “meditated” on God’s statutes. God granted David understanding and wisdom through daily meditation.

We should all read God’s Word, of course, but we should also think about it throughout the day, for God loves us to think about Him. “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways” (Psalm 119:2–3).

David was humbled

David knew he was a king, but even more importantly he recognized that he was a “king” who served a King! That kept him humble and helped him keep his life in a proper perspective! “Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, 'Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel 7:18). David always referred to himself as God’s servant. Yes, David was humble because he knew who made him and who was guiding and protecting him.

David was repentant

"A Psalm of David after Nathan the prophet went to David to reveal David’s sin, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

"David prayed; 'Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge" (Psalm 51).

David was a king who humbled himself before his King, God our Father. David did not play the blame game, but instead humbled himself. He was humbled because even in his greatness as king he never forgot who the real King was. He cast himself wholly on the mercy of our Creator. We can always go to God for forgiveness! Moreover, nothing is too great that God will not forgive.

David glorified God and was thankful

“Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory" (Psalm 72:18-19).

This psalm of Solomon accurately depicts the type of attitude we have, which David excellently displayed. Never stop having a thankful heart to God! Never stop giving God the glory.

God is not a respecter of persons. He loves all of us just as much as He did King David. He loves and honors those who honor Him and follow Him! Why? For our good!

We all can be a woman or man after God’s own heart by asking God to put His heart in us. Acknowledging Him as our creator; stay humbled; having a repentant heart and always glorifying God as David did.

As one of God's prophets stated it: "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is on Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).