God Chooses David
What's in Your Heart?
Lessons for Your Family from King David
More Than Meets the Eye
As parents, we know the world often encourages us to focus on what we can see on the outside. We notice who is the tallest, the strongest, or the most popular. It’s a natural human tendency to judge by outward appearances. But the Bible teaches us that God operates differently. When He set out to choose a new king for Israel, He wasn't looking for the most impressive candidate by human standards. Instead, He was looking at something much deeper: the heart. This post will explore the story of King David to help your family understand what it means to have a heart that pleases God and provide some simple tools to talk about this important lesson with your children.
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1. The Unexpected King: God's Surprising Choice
The story begins with Israel’s first king, Saul. Through his disobedience, Saul had shown that his heart was not right with the Lord. God rejected him as king and began to seek "a man after his own heart" to lead His people (1 Samuel 13:14).
God sent the prophet Samuel to the house of a man named Jesse in Bethlehem. Imagine Samuel, the wise old prophet, standing before Jesse’s sons. One by one they came forward—tall, strong, looking every bit the part of a king. When the oldest son, Eliab, stood before him, Samuel himself was impressed and thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him" (1 Samuel 16:6). But God quickly corrected the prophet with the core lesson of this entire story: “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Jesse paraded seven of his sons before Samuel, but God rejected each one. Puzzled, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons. Only then did Jesse mention his youngest, David, who was considered so unimportant he hadn't even been called in from the fields for the prophet's visit. When they brought David in, the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he" (1 Samuel 16:12). At that moment, Samuel anointed the young shepherd, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David, empowering him for the future God had planned (1 Samuel 16:13).
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2. What Does a "Heart After God" Look Like?
So, what did God see inside David? The Bible reveals that a "heart after God" isn't a vague feeling; it's a heart that demonstrates specific, active qualities like profound trust, deep humility, and unwavering honor.
- A Heart of Trust: David trusted that God was in complete control, no matter the circumstances. Before he faced the giant Goliath, he didn't boast in his own strength but in God's faithfulness. He declared, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).
- A Heart of Humility: Even after becoming a powerful king, David knew that God was the true Ruler and that every good thing came from Him. In a prayer of thanksgiving, he humbly asked, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (1 Chronicles 29:14).
- A Heart of Honor: David’s heart for God led him to act honorably, even toward his enemies. When King Saul was actively hunting David to kill him, David found Saul vulnerable in a cave. Instead of taking revenge, he spared the king’s life, demonstrating that he trusted God's timing and respected the position of king that God himself had established (1 Samuel 24:12).
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3. When Good Hearts Go Wrong: The Power of Repentance
These qualities show the pattern of David's heart. However, it's crucial for our families to understand that a heart after God is not a perfect heart, and David's life is a powerful testament to this truth. Later in his reign, he committed a terrible sin involving a woman named Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. The Bible is clear that "the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD" (2 Samuel 11:27).
The key difference between David and King Saul was not that David was sinless, but in how he responded when confronted with his sin. While Saul made excuses for his disobedience, David sought forgiveness through humble repentance. His heartfelt prayer in Psalm 51 shows the depth of his sorrow and his desire to be made right with God. He pleaded, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).
This teaches us a vital lesson: a heart after God is not a perfect heart. It is a heart that loves and trusts God enough to humbly admit when it's wrong and ask for forgiveness.
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4. Bringing It Home: Conversation Starters for Your Family
Use these questions throughout the week to help your children connect David's story to their own lives. The goal isn't just to get the 'right' answers, but to open up a conversation about what God values most.
Start the conversation by asking:
- "When God and Samuel looked at Jesse's sons, what was the difference in what they were looking for?"
- "God chose David, the youngest brother, who was out watching the sheep. What does that tell us about who is important to God?"
Talk about what's in our hearts:
- "The Bible says God looks at the heart. What do you think is 'in' a person's heart? (Examples: love, kindness, anger, jealousy, trust in God)."
- "David trusted God to help him with the lion, the bear, and Goliath. What is something you can trust God with this week?"
- "David made a big mistake, but then he told God he was truly sorry. Why is it important to say sorry to God and to people when we do something wrong?"
Connect it to your week:
- "This week, let's try to look for the 'good heart' in people, not just what they look like on the outside. How can we do that at school or with our friends?"
- "David used his talent for playing music to help King Saul feel better. What is a talent God has given you that you can use to help someone else?"
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5. Your Family's Heart
The story of David is a powerful reminder that while the world may focus on appearance, status, and strength, God is most concerned with the condition of our hearts. He looks for hearts that trust Him, honor Him, and humbly seek His forgiveness when they fail. As you lead your family, you have the beautiful opportunity to model what David’s story teaches: to look past the world's standards and, like God, focus on nurturing a heart of trust, humility, and love for Him. This is the most lasting legacy you can build.