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September 2026

Why Is David Called “The Man After God’s Own Heart” Despite All His Failures?

We know why David is called a man after God’s own heart. He cared about God tremendously. You see it in 1 Samuel 15, where Saul loses the kingdom because he won’t do his duty regarding Agag, the king of Amalek. Because Saul lost the kingdom, God sends Samuel to anoint David. Remember that Samuel is eager to anoint each of the brothers. That is where we learn that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. God saw something in David’s heart. And that’s why, right there, sort of out of chronological order, you get 1 Samuel 17, which explains what was in David’s heart when Goliath was taunting Israel and taunting the God of Israel. David hears with understanding what Goliath is saying and was concerned for God’s reputation. That is what God saw in David’s heart. Not only was he a man who had a heart for God, but God chose him. It’s election by grace. Though he had flaws, he became the ideal king. David was a great administrator, a gifted leader, and he had concern for everyone. Every king is measured against him.

1 Samuel 15:1–7

¹ Samuel told Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people Israel. Now, listen to the words of the Lord. ²This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt. ³ Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Do not spare them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

⁴ Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah. ⁵Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi. ⁶ He warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, go on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I’ll sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

⁷ Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is next to Egypt. (HCSB)

From the Moody Bible Commentary:

Although Samuel continued to grieve over Saul’s disobedience, God was ready to do something new. This is a momentous point in the narrative, bringing onto the scene the central character of the rest of 1 Samuel and all of 2 Samuel. Saul did not have God’s will, interests, and glory at heart, so God selected a person who did—a shepherd boy who became the shepherd of all of Israel (cf. 2Sm 5:2, Brueggemann, First and Second Samuel, 119).

16:6-7. Observing Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son (cf. 1Ch 2:13), Samuel concluded, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him. Samuel may have thought of Saul’s impressive physical appearance, but that is not what the Lord was seeing. He was looking at the heart. He chooses His servants based on their inner lives, not on how they look.

All for the King,

Dr. Michael Rydelnik
Host/Bible Teacher, Open Line with Dr. Michael Rydelnik

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Dr. Michael Rydelnik

Dr. Michael Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute, as well as the Host/Bible teacher on Moody Radio’s Open Line® with Dr. Michael Rydelnik. The son of Holocaust survivors, Michael was raised in an observant Jewish home in Brooklyn, New York. He became a follower of Jesus the Messiah as a high school student and began teaching the Bible almost immediately. He is the author of several books and is the co-editor of and contributor to The Moody Bible Commentary. Michael and his wife, Eva, live in West Michigan and have two adult sons.

Tricia McMillan

Tricia McMillan is the senior producer of Chris Fabry Live, Equipped with Chris Brooks, and Moody Radio’s Open Line® with Dr. Michael Rydelnik. She has worked at Moody Radio since 2000 on a variety of programs. She is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and has a Master of Ministry from Moody Theological Seminary. Tricia is married to Nate, has three children and lives in the Chicago suburbs.

Open Line with Dr. Michael Rydelnik

At times, all believers have questions about the Bible, God or the spiritual life. Where can we turn when we need guidance from the God's Word? Moody Radio encourages you to bring your Bible and spiritual life questions to Moody Radio’s Open Line® with Dr. Michael Rydelnik every week.