Yahweh has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him as ruler over His people because you have not kept what Yahweh commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:14

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul finds himself in a pressure cooker situation. The Philistine army has gathered in massive numbers to prepare for war. Saul’s own men are trembling with fear, and many of them are running away. And as his men are fleeing in droves, and the Philistine army is looking more and more ominous, Saul is forced to wait for seven days for Samuel to arrive and offer the sacrifices to the Lord. Israel was in utter chaos as they were forced to patiently wait on Samuel. He’s in a pressure cooker situation and what is he going to do? Would he obey the Word of God that Samuel had delivered to him or would he take matters into his own hands?

We know what happened. As the pressure continued to build Saul decided the best course of action was to defy the word of God and offer the sacrifices himself, and in doing so, he invaded the priestly office and exposed his heart. Saul acted as if he had no choice and with so-called religious conviction. He thought that if he obeyed the Word of God the kingdom of Israel would be destroyed.  

He was willing to go to Gilgal. He was even willing to wait on Samuel - up and to a point. It’s easy to obey the Word of God when it doesn’t conflict with our plans. But obedience to God’s Word is much more difficult when it contradicts what we want. This was the case with Saul. He was willing to obey the Word of God until it started to become inconvenient. After that, he began to reevaluate his options and look for a shortcut. It revealed that his heart was most concerned about: self-preservation, retaining his kingship, making a name for himself, and protecting the kingdom of Israel. All of this was more important to him than honoring God. Samuel rightly called him out and told him he acted “foolishly”.

When Samuel finally arrived at Gilgal, he proclaimed God’s judgment upon Saul and his household rather than his blessing. Samuel said some life-altering words to Saul only a few years into his reign: 

(1)“For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” A main part of being made king was the dynasty that followed. But, God told Saul that his descendants would not reign after him. 

(2)“Your kingdom shall not continue.” From these words we might expect Saul to be removed as king at that moment. But Saul would still be allowed to reign for another 38 years. 

(3)The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and that man was not Saul. Though God rejected Saul He did not reject Israel. Because God loves Israel He would raise up another king who would be “a man after His own heart”.

It would be easy to say that the kingdom was taken from Saul because he sinned. But, while this was true, surely there was more to it. David also sinned, yet God never took the kingdom from him or his descendants. It was bigger than one incident of sin; the issue was being a man after God’s own heart.

And so, let us consider what this critical description really means by looking at the man who was NOT a man after His own heart (Saul) and comparing him to the man who was a man after His own heart (David). An obvious conclusion from what we know of David’s life is that it certainly does NOT imply perfection. And, an obvious follow up question is, how could God call David a man after His own heart when David committed such terrible sins as adultery and murder? What marked David’s life such that he received this exalted description from God?  

(1)A man after God’s heart has a longing for / a desire for / a passion for / a zeal for God. Jonathan Edwards called this “religious affection” in which emotion and intellect both play a needed role. This is not showy, fake emotionalism but real passion for God. This is not just actions to get something from God. But, rather the authentic desire to seek God and know Him with pure motives.  

Ps 63:1 – David was on the run in the wilderness. His political fortunes are at a low ebb, yet, his spiritual vitality is high. He still longs for God and being in His presence like someone in the desert longs for water – “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.”

Ps 145:1,2 - I will exalt You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Like David, do we seek the Lord early in life and early in our day? Do we long to commune with the Lord in like manner? Do we bless His name every day and want to do so forever?  

(2)A man after God’s heart loves God and His Word and wants to obey it. They go together. Saul really had neither. David had both. David loved God’s Word and sought to follow it. In Psalm 18, David opens up by saying, “I love You, O Yahweh, my strength” thus seeking to fulfill the greatest commandment. Then, in Psalm 19, he extols God’s Word. He says it is: perfect, sure, right, pure, true, righteous altogether, more desirable than much fine gold, sweeter than the best honey, AND in keeping it there is GREAT REWARD. Ultimately, he wanted his lips and life to be acceptable in God’s sight.  

Do we want this too before the One to whom we must give an account and before whom all things are uncovered and laid bare (Heb 4:13)?  

(3)A man after God’s heart has a soft, repentant heart. When Saul was confronted with his sin he offered excuses: Samuel took too long to arrive; the Philistine army is gathering; my army is scared and/or fleeing. He offered up excuses again later when it came to the utter destruction of Amalek that he did not obey. But, when David was confronted with his sin he took ownership, confessed his sin, and repented (2 Samuel 12:13). More than anything, he knew he sinned against God and that is what tore him up the most (Ps 51:4). He repented and asked for a “clean heart” and for a “steadfast heart” for God to be renewed in him. When Saul sinned, he merely expressed “worldly sorrow” over it (2 Cor 7:10). What is our confession and repentance practice like before God?

(4)A man after God’s heart seeks His glory in his life. Saul was a man after Israel’s heart. Saul sought his own glory and preservation and when this was in jeopardy he shifted all the blame elsewhere. David’s deep desire as he took the throne was that the Lord be magnified forever (2 Sam 7:26, Ps 35:27). Who gets the glory in our lives, and conversely, who gets the blame? The Spirit that lives within us will aid us in both.