Christopher Wright on “Man After God’s Own Heart”

Posted on January 2, 2019 by jamesbradfordpate

Christopher J.H. Wright, on page 380 of Old Testament Ethics for the People of God, states the following about I Samuel 13:14’s claim that David was a man after God’s own heart.

“‘A man after God’s own heart’ probably does not mean ‘someone whom God was especially fond of’ (a kind of favouritism the English phrase seems to suggest, but the Bible elsewhere denies, about God), but rather, someone who will carry out God’s will and purpose (‘heart’ being the Hebrew for purposeful intentions, not primarily for emotions).”

That interpretation would make sense, in light of Saul’s disobedience: “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” (I Sam. 13:14 KJV).

About jamesbradfordpate

My name is James Pate. This blog is about my journey. I read books. I watch movies and TV shows. I go to church. I try to find meaning. And, when I can’t do that, I just talk about stuff that I find interesting. I have degrees in fields of religious studies. I have an M.Phil. in the History of Biblical Interpretation from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have an M.A. in Hebrew Bible from Jewish Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from DePauw University.
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