Homiletic Monthly Acts 13:22-23 And when he had removed him, he raised up to them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said… David is one of the grandest men in the Bible, and his character is more fully portrayed than that of any other with one exception. The sweet singer of Israel was royally dowered with charms of the person, with gifts of the mind, and with susceptibilities of the heart; and, from a youth up, he was as one who is well beloved, and therefore rightly named. He was great in all the faculties of his soul, and has not been placed higher in the esteem of the Church than his virtues have warranted. It has been questioned how he could be called a man after God's own heart, and his crimes have been sketched with nauseating fulness. But the Church no more defends them than he did or the Bible. I. WHY THEN ARE HIS SINS SO FULLY PRESENTED? 1. That we may see how full of infirmity are the best of men. 2. That we may see how efficacious grace is to overcome them. 3. That we may see how bitter is the sorrow of the truly penitent, and how wide is the door of mercy. II. WHY IS HE CALLED A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART? 1. David was chosen by God. 2. As thus chosen he would more strictly observe the revealed will of God. 3. David was a man of fervent piety, of swift repentance, and of the deepest spiritual aspirations. 4. He was large-hearted, true as a friend, affectionate as a father, and ever ready to be reconciled with his foes — to forgive and forget. In these attributes of a fatherly heart he resembled God. III. THREE INFERENCES FROM HIS HISTORY. 1. This life is not an encouragement to commit sin or to continue in sin, but an encouragement to those struggling to be delivered from their sins. 2. Any one may be called a man after God's own heart, if his life is marked by the same religious fervour, by the same sincere penitence, and by the same deep longings after God by day and by night. 3. We must seek after likeness to God in our moral nature — in our likes and dislikes. (Homiletic Monthly.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. |
    |