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Objective

In this lesson we’ll see that believers who have hearts after God demonstrate justice, mercy, and humility in their daily lives.

Key Verse

Acts 13:22: And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

Introduction

After many years of running from Saul in the wilderness, God finally established David’s reign as king. The young shepherd who had once tended his father’s flocks now ruled over the people of God. But David’s journey to the throne teaches us something important about how God works—He often accomplishes His purposes in stages, not all at once.

2 Samuel 5:4-5: David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

At first, David didn’t rule all of Israel but only the southern part. This reminds us that God’s timing is always perfect, even when His plans unfold gradually. David didn’t settle for less than God had promised, though. He kept pressing forward in faith. Finally, he captured Jerusalem and made it his capital city. This stronghold of the Jebusites became known as the City of David and would remain the center of Israel’s kingdom for centuries to come.

What made David such a remarkable king? The answer is found in the condition of his heart. God Himself testified that David was “a man after My own heart.” This doesn’t mean David was perfect—as we’ll see in this lesson, he certainly wasn’t. Rather, it means that David’s heart was aligned with God’s heart. He desired what God desired and grieved over what grieved God.

The prophet Micah gives us a beautiful summary of what God expects from His people: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). David’s life shows us how these three qualities work together in someone who truly seeks to honor God.

In this lesson, we’ll explore how David demonstrated these essential characteristics:

• David acted with justice toward others
• David showed mercy to those who didn’t deserve it
• David walked humbly before God in all circumstances

Even though David’s heart was fixed on God, he also experienced failure and sin in his life, which demonstrates God’s amazing grace toward him—and toward us.

David Acted with Justice

David was known throughout Israel as a just and righteous king. The Bible tells us that “David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness to all his people” (1 Chronicles 18:14). But what does it mean to act with justice, and how can we apply this principle to our own lives?

When we love justice, we listen carefully to God’s commandments and seek to obey them. Justice means treating everyone fairly under God’s authority, without showing favoritism or partiality. A person who loves justice doesn’t seek their own advantage but considers what is right for everyone involved.

David showed justice in several important ways that we can learn from today. First, he defended people who were in difficult situations. When David was hiding from Saul in the wilderness, many distressed and desperate people came to him for help. Rather than turning them away, David welcomed them and became their protector. (Notebook Moment: How can you follow David’s example of caring for those who are struggling or marginalized in your community?)

Second, David demonstrated justice in how he honored those in authority over him, even when they treated him unfairly. Despite all the ways Saul had wronged him, David refused to take revenge when he had opportunities to harm the king. When David had the chance to kill Saul in a cave, he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe instead, and even then his heart troubled him for this small act of disrespect.

1 Samuel 24:6-7: And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul.

This teaches us that we should show respect for those in positions of authority, even when we disagree with their decisions. As Paul reminds us, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1).

Third, David demonstrated justice by treating people equally regardless of their social status. When his army defeated the Amalekites, some of the soldiers had stayed behind to guard the supplies while others went into battle. When it came time to divide the spoils of victory, some wanted to give everything to those who had fought. But David insisted on sharing equally with all his men, establishing this as a lasting ordinance in Israel.

1 Samuel 30:23-25: But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us… As his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.

This principle applies to how we treat people in our workplaces, churches, and communities. Justice requires us to recognize that every person has dignity and worth, regardless of their position or contributions.

Finally, David’s sense of justice was clearly seen in his response to Nathan’s parable about the rich man who stole the poor man’s lamb. Before Nathan revealed that David himself was the wealthy oppressor in the story, David declared that such a man deserved to die and should restore four times what he had taken. This shows us that David’s conscience was sensitive to right and wrong, even when it meant condemning his own actions.

David Showed Mercy

While justice is about giving people what they deserve, mercy is about not giving them the punishment they deserve. Mercy is one of God’s most beautiful characteristics, and David learned to show this same mercy to others because he had experienced it himself from God.

The word for mercy in the Old Testament often describes God’s faithful, covenant love toward His people. It speaks of the kindness and compassion that flows from a heart that truly understands how much we have been forgiven. Jesus taught us that we should “be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

It’s difficult to show mercy to people who don’t deserve it, but this is exactly what David did toward Saul. Even after years of persecution and injustice, David refused to harm the king when he had the opportunity. When Saul realized how David had spared his life, he was moved to tears and acknowledged David’s righteousness.

1 Samuel 24:17-19: And he said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.”

David also demonstrated mercy toward Abigail when she pleaded for her foolish husband Nabal. Despite Nabal’s insults and refusal to help David’s men, David listened to Abigail’s wise words and chose to show restraint rather than taking revenge.

Perhaps the most beautiful picture of David’s mercy is found in his treatment of Saul’s family after the king’s death. Instead of eliminating potential rivals to his throne, David actively sought out members of Saul’s household to show them kindness. When he found Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, David restored all of Saul’s land to him and gave him a permanent place at the royal table.

2 Samuel 9:7: So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

This act of mercy gives us a beautiful picture of how Christ treats us. Just as Mephibosheth was crippled and had nothing to offer David, we are spiritually helpless and have nothing to offer God. Yet because of His great love, God seeks us out, restores what sin has taken from us, and gives us a permanent place at His table as His beloved children.

(Notebook Moment: Think of someone who has wronged you recently. How might God be calling you to show mercy to that person, following David’s example?)

David Walked Humbly Before God

Throughout his life, David demonstrated genuine humility before God. This humility wasn’t a weakness but a strength that came from understanding both God’s greatness and his own need for divine help. David learned this humility during his years as a shepherd, during his time serving in Saul’s court, and through his long years of wilderness exile.

How did David show his humility? First, he consistently turned to God in prayer, acknowledging that he needed divine guidance for every important decision. When the Amalekites raided his city of Ziklag and his own men spoke of stoning him, David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” and inquired of the Lord before pursuing the raiders.

David also showed humility by listening to wise counsel from others. He received advice from godly friends like Jonathan and from God’s prophets like Nathan. When Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba, David didn’t make excuses or argue—he immediately acknowledged his wrongdoing and repented.

Perhaps most importantly, David demonstrated humility through the attitude of his heart toward God’s blessings. When God promised to establish David’s kingdom forever, David’s response was filled with wonder and gratitude rather than pride.

2 Samuel 7:18-20: Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come… Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord God, know Your servant.”

David understood that everything he had accomplished was a gift from God’s grace, not the result of his own merit. This is the kind of humility that God honors and blesses. As Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). When we recognize our spiritual poverty and God’s abundant grace, we position ourselves to receive His greatest blessings.

David’s Failures and God’s Grace

Even though David was called a man after God’s own heart, his life was marked by serious failures and sins. These failures don’t diminish the reality of his relationship with God, but rather highlight the incredible grace that God extends to imperfect people who genuinely seek Him.

David’s most notorious sin involved his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment but a series of calculated decisions that violated multiple commandments and caused tremendous harm to innocent people. When confronted by Nathan the prophet, David could have made excuses or tried to justify his actions. Instead, he immediately acknowledged his sin: “I have sinned against the Lord.”

David’s response to his sin teaches us several important lessons about repentance and God’s grace. In Psalm 51, which he wrote after this incident, David demonstrates what true repentance looks like. He doesn’t minimize his sin or blame others for his choices. He takes full responsibility and cries out to God for mercy and cleansing.

Psalm 51:1-4: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight.

What’s remarkable is not that David sinned—all of us are capable of terrible failures when we don’t guard our hearts. What’s remarkable is how God responded to David’s repentance with forgiveness and restoration. Through Nathan, God assured David that his sin was forgiven, even though there would still be natural consequences for his actions.

David’s failures also included other areas where he didn’t fully trust God or follow His commands. He conducted an unauthorized census of Israel’s fighting men, suggesting pride and self-reliance rather than dependence on God. As a father, he failed to properly discipline his children, leading to family tragedies that could have been prevented.

These failures remind us that having a heart after God doesn’t mean we’ll never sin or make mistakes. Rather, it means that when we do fail, we quickly return to God in humility and repentance, trusting in His mercy to restore us.

Conclusion

David’s life teaches us that God isn’t looking for perfect people—He’s looking for people with hearts that are turned toward Him. When we study David’s character, we see someone who genuinely desired to please God, even when he fell short of that goal.

The three qualities we’ve examined—justice, mercy, and humility—are not just characteristics for leaders but essential traits for every believer who wants to honor God. These qualities flow naturally from a heart that has been transformed by God’s grace and seeks to reflect His character to the world.

David acted with justice because he understood that God is just and righteous in all His ways. He showed mercy because he had experienced God’s mercy in his own life. He walked humbly because he recognized both God’s greatness and his own need for divine grace.

When we fail to demonstrate these qualities—and we all do—we can follow David’s example of honest repentance and trust in God’s forgiveness. The same God who looked upon David’s heart with favor looks upon our hearts today. He sees past our failures to the genuine desire we have to serve Him faithfully.

Like David, we can be people after God’s own heart. This doesn’t require perfection, but it does require honesty about our sins, humility about our need for God, and a genuine desire to grow in righteousness. When we approach God with this kind of heart, He responds with the same grace He showed to David—forgiving our sins, restoring our fellowship with Him, and using us to accomplish His purposes in the world.

(Notebook Moment: Of the three qualities we’ve studied—justice, mercy, and humility—which one do you most need to develop in your own life? What practical steps can you take this week to grow in that area?)

The key to David’s great life wasn’t his achievements or his royal position—it was his relationship with God. He desired to know God intimately and to please Him in all things. This is what made David a man after God’s heart, and this is what God desires for each of us today. As David himself wrote, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1). When our hearts hunger for God with this same intensity, we too can become people after His own heart.

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[Revision Notes: For the “Go Deeper” section, I should have a more in-depth study of David’s sin, as this is an important part of his life story. This allows for a deeper study of how sin works and how God can still reclaim what has been lost to sin.

Another Go Deeper subject could be exploring the Davidic lineage and prophecies that culminate in Christ (see the genealogies, but also Paul in Romans 1. There’s room here to hyperlink to anchor links about David.]