David, a man after God‘s own heart. A statement only made of David twice in the Bible, but it’s how we know him. A man who loved God. A man who honored God.

David’s heart was bent towards God. Even when David had messed up, repentance followed.

Unlike Saul, David’s heart never grew cold to the voice of the Lord. Whether the voice was one of rebuke or blessing.

Being a man after God’s own heart did not mean that David was perfect. David messed up. In the case of the affair with Bathsheba and then the murder of her husband to cover up the pregnancy, David sinned and then sinned again to cover up the first sin.

In chapter 24 David took an unexpected census. Joab asked why he wanted to do this as God had not commanded the census. Satan had enticed David, and God allowed it. Numbering the people this time was a prideful move. It was David patting himself on the back.

Immediately after the census had been taken, David’s conscience was on overdrive. David knew he was wrong and he repented. Even though David repented, God still punished him.

““Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’” So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose three years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.” “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭

God is faithful, even when we are not. David’s last words were words of hope and faith in the promise that God had made. They echo the promise made in 2 Samuel chapter 7. Although David would never see the fulfillment of it in his lifetime, he had learned through trouble and triumph that God’s words never fall short. God promised David victory and an everlasting dynasty and David’s response is one of praise to the end.