Why
is David referred to in Scripture as “a man after God’s
own heart” when he had sinned so grievously? Truly his
sin was great but his repentance was really genuine. Because
he realized that not only his family but also the nation over
which the Almighty had made him king must inevitably suffer
for the wrong that he had done (II Samuel 21 & 24). David
repented in dust and ashes and the anger of the Lord was turned
away. Read the King’s wonderful song of deliverance
recorded in chapter 22 and his last words found in the following
chapter; words that emphasize once again the faith of this
remarkable man in the promise of the Divine.
“Now these by the last words of David. David the son
of Jesse said, and the man who was raised upon high, the anointed
of the God of Jacob, and the sweet Psalmist of Israel, said,
‘The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was
in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake
to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the
fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning when
the sun riseth, even as a morning without clouds; as the tender
grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with
me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure:
for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although
he make it not to grow.” (II Samuel 23. vv. 1-5) |
