David is such a great example of a man whose heart was for the Lord. Even though he was not perfect, he didn’t continue in his sin; he repented. And you can see from the scriptures that God thought that David was an example of an exemplary servant of God.

And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days (1 Kings 3:14).

And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father (1 Kings 11:6).

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the God of the Moabites, and Milcom the God of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father (1 Kings 11:33).

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; – (1 Kings 14:8)

And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. (1 Kings 15:11).

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did. (2 Kings 14:3).

These are just a few verses that show how God considered David an excellent example. He used David as a kind of benchmark against many people and their actions. Additionally, not only did he use him as an example, but because of how well he served Him, God spared his family for generations after, even though they did evil. So many served other gods and blatantly disregarded God’s word and commands, yet God still spared them because of David.

⁴ Nevertheless for David’s sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: 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. (1 Kings 15:4-5).

I think David was such a wonderful example for us today if we want to be after God’s heart. If we want to have a love for God like David did. So, I think it’s worth reading and reflecting on David’s life and how he served God. Then, we should strive to serve God as David did.

David’s Life is covered in the following:

• 1 Samuel 16 to 2 Samuel 24
• 1 Kings 1 and 2