Act 13:22 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 22. David-a man after mine own heart ] That is, a man who would rule the kingdom according to God's will. Dr. Benson's observation on this point is very judicious: "When it is said that David was a man after God's own heart , it should be understood, not of his private , but of his public , character. He was a man after God's own heart , because he ruled the people according to the Divine will. He did not allow of idolatry ; he did not set up for absolute power . He was guided in the government of the nation by the law of Moses , as the standing rule of government, and by the prophet , or the Divine oracle , whereby God gave directions upon particular emergencies. Whatever Saul's private character was, he was not a good king in Israel . He did not follow the law , the oracle , and the prophet ; but attempted to be absolute , and thereby to subvert the constitution of the kingdom. That this was the meaning of David's being a man after God's own heart will easily appear by comparing ; ; , &c.; , &c."

‏ Acts 13:22

Verse 22. David-a man after mine own heart] That is, a man who would rule the kingdom according to God's will. Dr. Benson's observation on this point is very judicious: "When it is said that David was a man after God's own heart, it should be understood, not of his private, but of his public, character. He was a man after God's own heart, because he ruled the people according to the Divine will. He did not allow of idolatry; he did not set up for absolute power. He was guided in the government of the nation by the law of Moses, as the standing rule of government, and by the prophet, or the Divine oracle, whereby God gave directions upon particular emergencies. Whatever Saul's private character was, he was not a good king in Israel. He did not follow the law, the oracle, and the prophet; but attempted to be absolute, and thereby to subvert the constitution of the kingdom. That this was the meaning of David's being a man after God's own heart will easily appear by comparing 1Sa 15:28; 28:17, 18; 1Ch 10:13, 14; Ps 78:70, &c.; Ps 89:20, &c."