• Moses stuttered.• Jacob lied.• Timothy had a weak

stomach.• Abraham was too old.• Naomi was a widow.• Gideon was a coward.

• Peter was a braggart.• Matthew cheated.• Jonah ran from God.• Miriam was a gossip.• Thomas doubted.• Martha worried.• Paul was a murderer.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 – Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, 28 chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? 29 That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. (MSG)

1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 9:2 – His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

1 Samuel 16:1 – Now the Lord said to Samuel, "You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be My king."

1 Samuel 16:6-7 – When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Here he is! God's anointed!" 7 But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (MSG)

1 Samuel 16:12 – So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, "This is the one; anoint him."

Eliab—Oldest Brother1 Samuel 17:28 – But when David's oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded. "What about those few sheep you're supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!"

Goliath1 Samuel 17:41-43 – Goliath walked out toward David . . . 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 "Am I a dog," he roared at David, "that you come at me with a stick?" And he cursed David by the names of his gods.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 – But David persisted. "I have been taking care of my father's sheep and goats," he said. "When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.

36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!"

What does it mean to say, “David is a man after My own heart?”

1. The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Exodus 33:13 – If I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. (NASB)

2. David’s Heart was fertile and Rock-free.

• Godly Repentance vs. Worldly Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:10 – For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (NKJV)

King Saul—Worldly Repentance1) God’s Directive 1 Samuel 15:1-3 – One day Samuel said to Saul . . . Now listen to this message from the Lord! 2 . . . I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. 3 Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys."

2) Saul’s Disobedience1 Samuel 15:7-9 – Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites . . . 9 Saul and his men spared Agag's life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

1 Samuel 15:11 – [God] "I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to Me and has refused to obey My command." Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.

1 Samuel 15:11 – [God] "I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to Me and has refused to obey My command." Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.

1 Samuel 15:11 – [God] "I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to Me and has refused to obey My command." Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.

3) Saul’s Excuse1 Samuel 15:13-15 – When Samuel finally found Saul, [he said] "I have carried out the Lord's command!" 14 "Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?" Samuel demanded. 15 "It's true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle," Saul admitted. "But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else."

3) Saul’s Excuse1 Samuel 15:13-15 – When Samuel finally found Saul, [he said] "I have carried out the Lord's command!" 14 "Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?" Samuel demanded. 15 "It's true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle," Saul admitted. "But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else."

King David—Godly Repentance

2 Samuel 12:13 – Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord."

Psalm 512 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. 4 Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight . . . 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean . . . 8 Oh, give me back my joy . . .

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from Your presence, and don't take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.

3. David Danced Before the Lord in his BVD’s.

Psalm 105:2-3 – Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. 3 Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.

Conclusion

Are you willing to be a part of the few?

Are you willing to do what it takes to be a man or woman after God’s own heart?

When God looks at your heart, what does He find?