Acts 13:13-22

13Now when Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

14And when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

15And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, You men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.

17The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as sojourners in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he brought them out of it.

18And about the time of forty years he endured their manners in the wilderness.

19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20And after that he gave unto them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

22And 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 my own heart, who shall fulfil all my will.

Characteristics of a man after GOD’s own heart

*Has a priority on their personal private fellowship with LORD GOD.

David was zealous (passionate, devoted) about GOD. He had deep abiding fellowship with the LORD He knew where he was heading and he had confidence which was based on His fellowship with the LORD. David was seeking to know GOD, meditated in His word. He saw GOD’s finger print in everything around Him. You will only know GOD’s heart if you meditate upon Him. David sat before the LORD quietly.

*Has a strong desire to obey GOD in anytime, and every time in every situation and every circumstances.

A man after GOD’s own heart has certain kind of spirit, it hungers for GOD and his priority is to be alone with GOD. When David failed he admitted it, he grieved. GOD wanted David to trust in the LORD.

2 Samuel 24:10, 17

10And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in what I have done: and now, I beseech you, O LORD, take away the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.

17And David spoke unto the LORD when he saw the angel that struck the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray you, be against me, and against my father’s house.

*The one has courage to put their faith in GOD.

The man learning about GOD, excited about GOD when he is in a position that the only way is out.

1 Samuel 17:46-47

46This day will the LORD deliver you into my hand; and I will strike you, and take your head from you; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

*He must possess a servant spirit.

Psalm 89:20

20I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

Our reverence will motivate us to have servant spirit. David was serving Soul in the very beginning, GOD was teaching Him in early life to have a servant spirit not to be rebellious. David willingly served Soul even when he knew GOD rejected Soul. David saw Himself subject to Almighty GOD and he will not step out of it in anyway.

The one who has heart after GOD, puts a priority on fellowship with GOD, on who He is, has strong desire to obey GOD, excited about trusting the LORD and willing to serve wherever GOD puts them.