After HE had removed him
HE raised up David to be their king
Concerning whom HE also testified and said,
“I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all MY Will”
Acts 13:22

What made king David “a man after GOD’s heart”? David was a man who loved (Psa 18:1, Psa 132:1-5), trusted (1 Sam 17:1-51, Psa 21:7, Psa 28:7), and obeyed GOD (1 Kin 14:8, 1 Kin 15:5). David also sought GOD’s counsel (1 Sam 23:1-5, 1 Sam 30:3-10, 2 Sam 2:1-4, 1 Chr 14:8-17).

Where there any other kings in Israel that had a heart after GOD? Yes, there were two descendants of king David, who had hearts after GOD; king Hezekiah, and king Hezekiah’s great grandson king Josiah. We will study king Josiah later, but we will examine king Hezekiah now, through 2 Kings chapters 18-20, 2 Chronicles chapters 29-32, and Isaiah chapters 36-39.

Our Beloved LORD GOD gave witness of king Hezekiah’s heart, through HIS WORD. HE showed us, king Hezekiah had the following traits, signifying both a personal relationship with HIM, and heart fully given to do HIS Will. King Hezekiah of Judah:

1. trusted in GOD (2 Kin 18:5, 2 Chr 32:7-8)
2. listened to GOD, by clinging to HIM, and fully obeying HIM (2 Kin 18:6)
3. reformed a nation according to GOD’s commandments (2 Chr chapters 29-31)
4. talked with GOD (2 Kin 19:14-19, 2 Chr 32:14-20)
5. sought GOD (2 Kin 19:1-7, 2 Chr 31:21)
6. whole heartedly served GOD (2 Chr 31:20-21)
7. GOD was with him (2 Kin 18:7)

These seven traits present in righteous king Hezekiah, should also be present in the righteous today. You might ask, “how could we reform a nation?” Your transformation by GOD’s WORD and HIS Holy SPIRIT (Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 3:16-18), draws others to GOD where HE reforms lives (Mat 5:14-16, Jhn 4:39-42).

Can one today, really be a person after GOD’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14)? Yes, our JESUS is the same yesterday, as HE is today, as HE will be forever (Heb 13:8). And when your heart is filled with The SPIRIT of GOD (Jhn 14:23, Rom 8:9), your life will be fully surrendered to JESUS CHRIST (Rom 10:9, Luk 6:46-48, Act 5:32), causing you to be a person after GOD’s own heart. As evidenced by you:

• actively living-in constant obedience to GOD (Psa 40:8, Psa 119:33-39, Psa 119:101-104, Jhn 4:34).
• responding properly when confronted with sin (Gen 39:7-13, 1 Cor 6:18, Dan 3:8-18, Rev 12:11).
• being drawn by GOD’s love (1 Jhn 4:19, Hos 11:3-4, Psa 73:25-26, SS 1:4), and holiness (Exd 15:11, Isa 6:1-7, 1 Pet 1:15-16).

Did king David and king Hezekiah leave any other legacies? Yes, they both lived miraculous lives of faith in GOD. King David had three distinct battles, where GOD fought on his behalf. First, the Philistine giant Goliath, was defeated by king David, who came against Goliath, in The NAME of The LORD, one slingshot, and five smooth stones (1 Sam 17:31-50). Second, GOD HIMSELF and the angel army fought against and defeated the Philistines on behalf of king David and his army (2 Sam 5:22-25). Third, when Absalom led Israel in battle against his father king David, the forest killed more people that day than the sword (2 Sam 18:8). King Hezekiah’s faith in GOD, also brought victory over an Assyrian army and its king, without he or his army personally engaging in battle (2 Kin 19:32-37, 2 Chr 32:1-23).

 Were king David and king Hezekiah continually obedient? No, only our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST continually walked in obedience (Jhn 4:34, Jhn 8:29, Heb 4:15, 1 Pet 2:22, 1 Jhn 3:5).

The legacy of king David includes two grave sins; one where the upright man Uriah was murdered, because king David lusted after and impregnated Uriah’s wife (2 Sam 11:1-27, 2 Sam 12:1-25); two, king David’s pride caused him to take a census of the fighting men of Israel. Putting his trust in their numbers, instead of GOD (1 Chr 21:1-30).

The legacy of king Hezekiah was marred, when our Beloved LORD GOD extended his life for fifteen more years, he became arrogant instead of humbling himself in gratitude (2 Kin 20:1-11, 2 Chr 32:24-26).

In conclusion, we remind you once again that our Beloved LORD GOD tells us in Romans 15:4 “for whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” What more can we learn from king David and king Hezekiah, two men with a heart after GOD? Both men were bold (2 Sam 22:1-51, 2 Chr 32:1-8). As stated in Proverbs 28:1, “the wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” The English word “bold” is transliterated from the Hebrew word “batach” (OT:982) and it means to be secure, confident, sure, reliant, trusting. This boldness only comes with an intimate relationship with our faithful, all powerful GOD (Pro 3:32, Jhn 14:21, 1 Jhn 1:5-7). And because of HIM and our confidence in HIM, and HIS WORD we do not run from our enemies we chase them (Lev 26:7-8); we do not fall, we stand (1 Cor 16:13, Eph 6:10-11); we do not give up, we endure (Jam 1:2-4).  

For The LORD will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught
Proverbs 3:26