He
raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
Acts 13:22
Acts 13 [16.] Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people[a] chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it. For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.
Acts 13 [20.] After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ From this man’s offspring,[b] God has brought salvation[c] to Israel according to his promise, before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.[d]
Acts 13 [25.] As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you. For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
Acts 13 [30.] But God raised him from the dead, and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus.
Footnotes:
a. Acts 13:17 TR, NU add “Israel”.
b. Acts 13:23 or, seed.
c. Acts 13:23 TR, NU read “a Savior, Jesus” instead of “salvation”.
d. Acts 13:24 TR, NU read “to all the people of Israel” instead of “to Israel”.
Meaning:
This verse is part of a sermon delivered by the Apostle Paul in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, where he is recounting the history of Israel and pointing to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises. In this particular verse, Paul is speaking about God’s sovereign choice of David as king after removing Saul, Israel’s first king. David is described as “a man after [God’s] heart,” emphasizing his deep commitment to following God’s will.
- Paul’s Sermon in Antioch
In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey. They enter the synagogue in Antioch, where Paul is invited to speak. Paul seizes this opportunity to present the gospel by tracing the history of Israel, starting from the Exodus and leading up to the coming of Jesus Christ. His audience, composed of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, would have been familiar with the story of David, a central figure in their national and religious identity.
Israel’s History: Paul begins his sermon by recounting how God chose Israel’s ancestors, delivered them from Egypt, and led them through the wilderness. He speaks of the period of judges and then the establishment of the monarchy with Saul as the first king. However, Saul’s disobedience and failure to follow God’s commands led to his rejection by God.
Transition to David: It is at this point that Paul transitions to David, whom God raised up as king after removing Saul. David’s selection marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, and Paul highlights this by quoting God’s testimony about David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.” This description of David serves as a bridge to Paul’s ultimate point—Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, is the promised Savior.
- David: A Man After God’s Heart
The phrase “a man after my heart” is one of the most well-known descriptions of David, found originally in 1 Samuel 13:14. It encapsulates the essence of why David was chosen by God to lead His people. But what does it mean to be a person “after God’s heart”?
Alignment with God’s Will: At its core, being a person after God’s heart means aligning oneself with God’s will. David, despite his imperfections and failures, had a deep desire to do what was pleasing to God. This does not mean that David was sinless—far from it. His life was marked by significant failures, including his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah. However, what set David apart was his heart of repentance and his desire to return to God when he strayed. In Psalm 51, David’s prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba, we see a man who is deeply grieved by his sin and earnestly seeks God’s mercy and forgiveness.
A Heart of Worship: David was also known for his heart of worship. The Psalms, many of which were written by David, are filled with expressions of adoration, trust, and praise toward God. David’s life was characterized by an intimate relationship with God, one in which he constantly sought to commune with Him through prayer and worship. His love for God was evident in his desire to build a temple where God’s presence could dwell among His people, although it was ultimately Solomon who fulfilled this desire.
Obedience to God’s Commands: Another aspect of being a person after God’s heart is obedience. David’s reign was marked by a commitment to following God’s instructions, whether in matters of worship, governance, or military conquest. While he did stumble, David’s overall trajectory was one of obedience and devotion to God’s commands. This is in stark contrast to Saul, who often acted out of fear of man rather than fear of God, leading to his downfall.
- The Significance of David’s Kingship
Paul’s mention of David in Acts 13:22 is not just a historical reference; it is deeply theological. David’s kingship holds significant meaning in the broader narrative of Scripture, especially in relation to the coming of Jesus Christ.
The Davidic Covenant: In 2 Samuel 7, God makes a covenant with David, promising that his house and kingdom would endure forever. This covenant is a cornerstone of the Messianic hope in the Old Testament, as it points to the coming of a future king from David’s line who would establish an everlasting kingdom. Jesus Christ, the Son of David, fulfills this promise. By highlighting David in his sermon, Paul is drawing a direct line from David to Jesus, emphasizing that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills the Davidic Covenant.
A Foreshadowing of Christ: David’s life and kingship serve as a type or foreshadowing of Christ. Just as David was a shepherd-king, leading his people with care and devotion, so too is Jesus the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). David’s victories over Israel’s enemies and his establishment of Jerusalem as the capital foreshadow Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Paul’s audience would have understood these connections, seeing in David a precursor to the Messiah.
Application for Us Today
Acts 13:22 challenges us to reflect on what it means to be people after God’s own heart. David’s example offers us several key takeaways:
A Heart of Repentance: Like David, we must recognize our need for God’s mercy and be quick to repent when we fall short. True repentance involves more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it requires a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. In 1 John 1:9, we are reminded that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Pursuing God’s Will: To be after God’s heart means to pursue His will in all aspects of our lives. This requires us to seek His guidance through prayer, immerse ourselves in His Word, and be obedient to His commands. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
A Life of Worship: Like David, we are called to live lives of worship, expressing our love and adoration for God not just through songs but through our daily actions and choices. Worship is a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our lives, as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).
Trusting in God’s Sovereignty: David’s life reminds us of God’s sovereignty in choosing and using people for His purposes. We may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen or why He chooses certain individuals, but we can trust that His plans are good and that He is always working for our good and His glory.
Conclusion: Acts 13:22 presents David as a man after God’s own heart, chosen by God to lead His people and fulfill His will. David’s life, with all its triumphs and failures, serves as a powerful example of what it means to be aligned with God’s heart. As we strive to be people after God’s own heart, may we seek to live lives marked by repentance, obedience, worship, and trust in God’s sovereignty, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises in and through us. David’s legacy points us to Jesus Christ, the true King after God’s heart, who perfectly fulfilled God’s will and invites us to follow Him in the same spirit of devotion and love.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible