Acts 13:22

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

And {G2532} when he had removed {G3179} him {G846}, he raised up {G1453} unto them {G846} David {G1138} to be {G1519} their king {G935}; to whom {G3739} also {G2532} he gave testimony {G3140}, and said {G2036}, I have found {G2147} David {G1138} the son of Jesse {G2421}, a man {G435} after {G2596} mine own {G3450} heart {G2588}, which {G3739} shall fulfil {G4160} all {G3956} my {G3450} will {G2307}.

God removed him and raised up David as king for them, making his approval known with these words, ‘I found David Ben-Yishai to be a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want.’

After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will.

Acts 13:22 is part of Paul's powerful sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where he recounts the history of Israel to demonstrate God's faithfulness and ultimately, to present Jesus as the promised Messiah. This particular verse highlights God's sovereign choice of David as king, emphasizing the qualities that made him suitable for God's purposes.

Context

In this sermon (Acts 13:16-41), Paul traces God's dealings with Israel from the Exodus to the time of the kings. He first mentions God's removal of King Saul due to his disobedience, clearing the way for a new leader. Verse 22 then introduces God's sovereign choice to anoint David as king, setting the stage for the ultimate King from David's lineage: Jesus Christ. This historical review serves to build a foundation for Paul's proclamation of the Gospel.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereignty in Leadership: The verse clearly shows that God is the one who "removed him" (Saul) and "raised up unto them David." This underscores God's ultimate authority in appointing leaders according to His divine will, not merely human preference or tradition.
  • The Heart of a True Leader: The most impactful phrase is God's testimony of David: "a man after mine own heart." This doesn't imply moral perfection (as David's life, including his sin with Bathsheba, clearly shows), but rather a deep commitment to God's will, a desire to please Him, and a spirit of repentance when confronted with sin. David's devotion was genuine, even when his actions were flawed.
  • Fulfilling God's Will: David was chosen to "fulfil all my will." This highlights God's specific purpose for David's reign, which included establishing the kingdom, preparing for the temple, and most significantly, laying the groundwork for the Davidic covenant, promising a Messiah from his line.
  • Messianic Foreshadowing: By emphasizing David's kingship and God's promise to him, Paul subtly points forward to Jesus, the true Son of David, who would perfectly fulfill God's will and establish an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a man after mine own heart" is a profound theological statement. In the original Hebrew context (from which Paul is quoting/paraphrasing, likely 1 Samuel 13:14), it signifies someone whose desires, intentions, and purposes align with God's. It speaks to a deep spiritual affinity and a willingness to obey God's commands, even if imperfectly. David's heart was inclined towards God's glory and purposes, unlike Saul's, who often prioritized his own will or the people's over God's explicit instructions.

Practical Application

Acts 13:22 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Heart Over Perfection: God values a heart that genuinely seeks Him and desires to do His will, even from imperfect individuals. Our focus should be on aligning our hearts with God's, not on achieving sinless perfection, which is impossible in this life.
  2. Obedience and Repentance: David's life shows that while we will stumble, a "heart after God's own heart" is characterized by a willingness to obey and, when we fail, to repent and turn back to God.
  3. God's Sovereign Plan: This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in history and in the lives of individuals. He raises up and puts down leaders, working all things according to His sovereign plan for the ultimate good and the advancement of His kingdom.
  4. Pointing to Christ: Ultimately, David's kingship and obedience served as a shadow pointing to Jesus, the perfect King who perfectly fulfilled all of God's will. Our lives, too, should point to Him.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 13:13

    And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

  • 1 Samuel 13:14

    But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

  • 1 Kings 15:5

    Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

  • Psalms 78:70

    He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

  • Psalms 78:72

    So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

  • 1 Samuel 16:13

    Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

  • 1 Samuel 16:1

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

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