David's Heart

David's Heart:

For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 6:7

If the verse written above this line was the only information we had about David's heart, we would always be wondering just exactly what it was that God saw in David. But that verse is not the only information we have. David wrote most of the Psalms and in them his heart is revealed more than the heart of any other author in the Bible. A deep study of the Psalms opens up David's heart like a book that can be read.

David said that he loved God. But David's love for God was more than ours usually is. David not only loved God but was in love with Him. He was enamored of Him. This was no puppy love. David had studied God, and saw something in God that most men never see. David studied God in His creation, in history, in the lives of people, and in the Word of God. He saw the character and nature of God, but more than that he saw a personal God of love. He saw a God who greatly desires deep intimacy with the people He created. (And who would provide a redeemer for that purpose) David was in awe of God, but that did not stop him from pressing into God's presence. Instead it inspired him to press ever closer! David not only loved God, he liked Him. He had fun with Him. And God responded with His favor upon David. God liked David! David had God's favor. The relationship was reciprocal!

David's standards, values, and beliefs:

David said that he knew and trusted God from his mother's womb. That means he could not remember a time when he did not know and trust God. That's an awesome revelation for anybody. David had an unbroken fellowship with God from his birth! That helped David understand that God loved him and had chosen him. That choosing was for divine purpose, but it was also simply for love. David knew that. (Consider how you would feel if you knew that.) By his own declaration I know that David had a truly awesome mother. For he said, "But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on my mother's breasts. I was cast upon you from birth. From my mother's womb you have been my God." Psalm 22:9-10 WOW! No one could have a better start in life! It makes me think of how David's mother must have cared for him. I can picture her singing songs of the beauty of the LORD to him while he suckled. David's first experience of God was with his mother. For the rest of his life he would know no other master than God. He would seek no other comfort, and know no other face. He was imprinted with that divine expression. Later on in life he would recall his mother's love and her undying devotion to the God of Israel, and her humble servant's attitude. He said, "Oh turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your maidservant." Psalm 86:16 You can read between the lines a little bit. My paraphrase would be something like this. "Look, God, I am Your bondservant slave. O.K. I may have messed things up a bit, but look, my mother didn't. Remember her and her prayers for me, and have mercy upon me at this time." Men always remember their mothers. David honored his mother that's for sure! Hebrew parents believed in teaching by example. David's mother must have set an example beyond the stars.

Then David said, "O God, You have taught me from my youth." Psalm 71:17 This is another testament to David's mother, and his father. The Torah gave the job of instructing the children equally to both parents saying, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7    There is no doubt David's mother took that mandate seriously. The word of God was in her heart. She talked and sang God's words all day long, sitting, walking, lying down, and rising up. That means she taught by example. That's 24-7-365. Of course she told David the stories of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, and of his great, great grandmother Ruth. And who was it that taught David to play skillfully upon the harp and lyre? It may well have been his mother. Women were taught to sing, write poetry, and compose music. David's mother is not named in the Bible. But when we get to heaven we will know her. She'll be there at David's side.

David's father Jesse also gets much credit. He was an old man, wise, and well respected when David was young. The job of teaching his youngest son the laws of God fell upon him. It is obvious that he did a good job. He didn't simply teach those laws, he taught respect for them! He obeyed them himself. You can hear echoes of Jesse's words in Psalm 19 below. (It could have been Jesse who taught David to play skillfully upon the harp and lyre. After all, dancing and playing music was a very male thing to do in those days.)

From his parents David learned to love and trust God. That was his operating system. His believing was more than just intellectual assent, it was trust from the heart. That's because he knew the nature of God. He trusted in a merciful and loving God who forgives sin and redeems our lives from destruction. He believed that God would deal bountifully with him, and deliver him from all his enemies. He said, "God is for me." Psalm 56:9 How did David get that way?

David had learned from his parents to value God's written and spoken Word. He said, "The Word of the LORD is proven." Psalm 18:30 In other words David would order his life by God's word. He believed it! His parents had taught him that much by example. David's love of God's Word is clearly seen in Psalm 19...

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever.
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea than much fine gold.
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Notice something else about these verses. All of them are God honoring. It's GOD's Word, and that's what makes it good. David enjoyed an intimate walk with God because he knew Him intimately by the study and application of His Word, and he trusted God completely.

There was something more about David that all of us have come to know and love. To him nature was an open book that described God's love. He knew that God was the Creator of all things. Therefore he looked for the image of God in nature. So... as a shepherd boy he must have spent countless hours observing the marvelous works of God in His creation. Shepherds are often awake at night. The howl of a wolf, or the roar of a lion would make young David instantly awake. Sleeping on the cold hard ground would make his sleep fitful in any case. So David would be awake at night, meditating through the long night watches. His thoughts turned to God.   Then he must have pondered upon the nature of God and once again he saw God's loving kindness, mercy and provision. Looking up at the stars he saw the glory of God. But he also saw God's steadfast love. In one of his best known Psalms he would write, "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him." Under the open sky, observing the course of the sun, he thought of God's love and provision. His years as a shepherd would have an impact upon his life almost as great as his parent's teaching. The first half of Psalm 19 speaks of the wonders of God's nature - as seen in nature.

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their voice to the end of the world.

Yet there is something even more about David that most people don't know, or maybe have not considered. David also studied the history of God's dealings with Israel, and that knowledge helped shape his life. He marveled at God's works and His ways, and dealings with men. Speaking of evil men he said, "Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up." Psalm 28:5 David himself made a continual study of God's works in history, in his own personal life, and with others. This also made a great impression upon him and shaped the course of his life, bringing him into his destiny.

The best way to sum all of this up is to say that David studied God. He was enamored of Him, so he studied Him in nature, in history, in his own personal life, and in the Word of God.  No doubt he had learned this study from his parents, who had learned it from their parents. It was wisdom passed down.

It must be considered that David had many wise men in his lineage. Some are well know to us such as Boaz, the husband of Ruth. Others are lesser known. Nahshon was one of David's ancestors. He was the grandfather of Boaz. The Bible says that during his lifetime Nahshon was the leader of the tribe of Judah. Before him were Ethan, Heman, Chal'col, and Darda, the sons of Mahol (AKA Zimri), famed for their wisdom. (see I Kings 4:31 and 1 Chronicles 2:6) Such a stellar family tree must not be overlooked. Wisdom must have been the principal thing to them, guarded and passed down to succeeding generations as great treasure - the wisdom of the ages. David inherited that. The accumulated wisdom of previous generations coached him.

note: Mahol means "dancing" and Zimri means "musical." David also had that in his family background, and that Jewish wisdom remains upon the earth to this day.

I have always thought of how much better this world would be if teenagers actually listened to their parents and grandparents. The wisdom of the years would not be lost. That wisdom was not lost on David, or his son Solomon, but they added to it, and passed it on down to us. (Otherwise we would not have the book of Proverbs.)

Here is David's wisdom. He said, "The fear (awe) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever." Psalm 111:10 Translate, "Having a good and right relationship with God is the beginning of wisdom."

Here is David's vison:

David said, "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple." Then he added, "When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." Then he said, When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. Psalm 27:4,8 &10

David's parents had prepared him for life. They had taught him to look to the LORD. There is a time when a child has to be weaned. David would have to stand on his own against fierce enemies. But he would not be standing on his own if he knew enough to look to the LORD for everything. And David knew that. The face of the LORD was his focus. He said, "I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8

The greatest wisdom on earth would be to walk hand in hand with God. David was determined to do that.

Then something happened. Because David had made God his portion, God gave David His favor. For it is written

You are my portion, O LORD. I have said that I would keep Your words. I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments. Psalm 119:57-60

And David had said, O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Psalm 16:5

Then God said, "I have found David, the son of Jesse. A man after My own heart, who will do all My will." Acts 13:22

David, who found favor before God. Acts 7:46

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Because of these things David had purpose and direction uncommon in a youth:

Sometime early in his youth David made important discoveries. A few are listed below. The course of his life was set at an early age.

He would praise God with his whole heart. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull which has horns and hooves. Ps 69:30-31 I will praise You with my whole heart. Ps 86:12

Then David made some other sound choices. He said, I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes. Ps 101:3

And he said, Cause me to know Your loving kindness in the morning. For in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk. For I lift up my soul to you. Palm 143:8

Moreover he said, I will bless the LORD (make God happy) at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

And he said, "Early will I seek You." Psalm 63:1

David determined to take his case to God. He would pray to Him and seek Him, and pay his vows. He said, As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me. Psalm 56:16

David determined to know God's will. He said, "Teach me to do your will, for You are my God." Psalm 143:10a

He wanted to know God's Spirit. He declared, "Your Spirit is good." Psalm 143:10b

Although David wrote these Psalms as a man, I believe he came to these conclusions in his youth. These kinds of beliefs are purposeful are formational. A person would have to build that kind of foundation early, or he would not be able to walk in it later.

I believe that in his youth David must have been quiet and meditative. People often overlook such a child. They mistake his silence for simplicity. I think David's older brothers held that opinion. Young David would never be good for much of anything except herding sheep.  Later, their opinions changed and they rallied to his help.

Conclusion:

David's belief in God was much more than ours usually is. It was much more than just head knowledge or mere mental assent. His heart believed. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness. Romans 10:10 David trusted God like a child. Therefore he was able to have an intimate love relationship with God. He studied God because he wanted to be pleasing to God in every way. His thoughts, actions, words, and feelings were captive to God. He said, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 He was God's willing bondslave to do all His will. He was captivated by God, and so he called himself God's prisoner saying,

"You who seek God, your hearts shall live. For the LORD hears the poor (in spirit), and does not despise His prisoners." Psalm 69:32b-33 (parenthesis mine)

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Days would come soon enough that would test David's heart to the core. David would be anointed to be king. He soul would be tried by the adulation of men, and by the cruel hatred of Saul. Although Israel loved him, he would become a fugitive suffering deprivation and want. Driven from comfort and from home, he would wander across barren hills making his home in caves or hiding in thick forests. This would continue for more than a decade as Saul pursued him relentlessly and sought after his life.  Even after Saul's death there would be another 5 1/2 years of war with the house of Saul before David finally became king of all Israel.

David's heart would be tested. Yet without complaint he would say simply, "God tests the hearts." (Psalm 7:9) How could David withstand that kind of testing? I mean really! Most people think a test should soon be over with. But when it goes on year after weary year, that's a different kind of a thing. That's a test! Consider yourself anointed to be king and yet you are growing old in the field. By the time David actually became king of Judah he was already 30 years old. In those days that was old enough to be a grandfather! David could have killed Saul on at least one occasion. Most men would have. David didn't. He chose to wait for God.

David trusted God. He had given himself to God, and he would not take himself back. He would trust God to the death. God was proving him. And God was finding out that David was a man He could trust. Trust with what? Did God have something more than just leadership in mind? Absolutely yes indeed! God had a lot more things in store for David than just the throne of Israel.

But for a while David would have to run with endurance the race that was set before him. His heart would have to remain steadfast.