Why David was a "Man After God's Own Heart" (Repost) - Ron Edmondson

An often-confusing term concerning the Biblical character of David is the term “man after God’s own heart”.

Have you ever wondered what that really means? What does that kind of heart even look like? There is one verse from the writings of David that I believe perhaps best captures the meaning behind this phrase.

I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

(Psalms 16:2)

That’s it. Pretty simple, huh?

But, it’s really not that simple.

David recognized that the only good in him was the God in him. Great godly leaders and people are willing to step aside from their own need for ego building and self-confidence and humble themselves before an almighty God.

I have heard before that President Theodore Roosevelt often went outdoors at night, looked up into the vastness of the universe, simply to remind himself of his humanity compared to the vastness of the universe. I think that is an important principle for all of us that claim a leadership title.

Next time someone asks you why David was called “a man after God’s own heart”, point him or her to Psalm 16:2. It’s an attitude of heart…of recognition…of worship.

(Every year this is one of my most read posts. You might also read “David Remained a Man After God’s Own Heart (Except that time…)” , “10 Reasons David Is A Man After God’s Own Heart” and “5 Thoughts on Leadership from the Life of David“)