King David’s Spiritual Resume

In I Samuel 13, God wanted a new king to rule Israel after Saul disqualified himself because of disobedience. Verse 14 profiles the man who would get the job: “The Lord has sought Him a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be captain over His people.” Of course, this ended up being David, the youngest son of Jesse. There was nothing inherently special about him—David grew up humbly as a shepherd tending to his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. Yet he attained a very high level of character to be called a man after God’s own heart.

We all want the same. Becoming men or women after God’s own heart is the highest praise we could ever receive from our Creator.

King David did not achieve this overnight. He developed other attributes that put him on the right track to receive this glowing praise from God. We often think of David’s battle with Goliath as the time when he began to stand out in Israel. However, his good example was well-known before ever fighting the giant.

In I Samuel 16, a troubled King Saul was looking for a harpist to play music to soothe him while he was being vexed by an evil spirit (vs. 14-17). One of his servants was quick to recommend David, citing six winning characteristics he had: “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him” (vs. 18).

Let’s call this list David’s spiritual resume. Just as a resume describes a person’s qualifications for a role of employment, these six qualities helped David become a man after God’s own heart and served him throughout his life and reign.

Each attribute holds deep spiritual significance and can help you successfully live God’s Way in today’s challenging world. Apply them, and you will be well on your way to becoming a man or woman after God’s own heart.

Cunning in Playing

Since Saul was seeking a harpist, it is only natural that “cunning in playing” was the first attribute mentioned. Yet we should not dismiss it as only relevant to Saul’s search at that time.

Throughout Scripture, God emphasizes the importance of music. Read Psalm 150 to see how the music of various instruments glorifies God. David not only cultivated this talent himself, he ingrained it in Israel. II Chronicles 7:6 shows how the king organized Levites to perform music at the dedication of the temple. I Chronicles 25 gives a detailed list of musicians who “instructed in the songs of the Lord” (vs. 7).

Should every member of God’s Church become a harpist? No. Not everyone needs to play an instrument or be a trained singer—some are more suited to enjoy the music of others—but we would all benefit from valuing music the way God does.

We can expand this to apply to more than just music. Being “cunning in playing” also speaks to developing our talents in any area of life. If you are good at something—moving furniture, planting flower gardens, designing websites, repairing cars, baking cakes, whatever it might be—how are you doing with using these talents?

Review Matthew 25, the parable of the talents, for an overview of the different attitudes we could have regarding these. While the word “talent” in this parable refers to currency, the principle applies to our skills and abilities. Are you someone who has “gained beside them [the talents God gave you] five talents more” (vs. 20)? None of us want to emulate the servant who “was afraid, and went and hid [God’s] talent in the earth” (vs. 25).

Take an inventory of your skills and assess where you can improve. We should especially focus on the talents we can use to serve others. This can involve using the talent to perform acts of service, but also using the knowledge we have accumulated to teach or offer advice to others in need.

Ephesians 2:10 says we were “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.”

A Mighty Valiant Man

The second attribute on David’s resume was being “a mighty valiant man.” The Outline of Biblical Usage defines “valiant” as strength, might, efficiency and wealth. One way to summarize this is David had real power working in his life.

The Holy Spirit is the greatest source of power in the universe. God made clear that David was Spirit-led from his first appearance in Scripture: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (I Sam. 16:13).

Conversion enabled David to be spiritually mighty and valiant. We can be the same. Do not settle for just a little of God’s Spirit—be full of it (Eph. 5:18; Acts 4:31; 13:52).

Jesus Christ demonstrated just how simple it can be to get more: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened…If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:9-10, 13).

Of course, we should not ignore that David was also physically strong. While bodily ability is not as important as spiritual character (I Tim. 4:8)—it is still crucial as long as we occupy fleshly bodies.

Proverbs 24:5 says, “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.” The Proverbs 31 woman “girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms” (vs. 17). We do not need to be bodybuilders, but we should strive to develop a basic level of physical strength and ability.

If we are spiritually strong, we can resist and avoid the “sin which does so easily beset us” (Heb. 12:1). If we are physically strong, we will be healthier and more alert so that God can use us as His instruments (III John 2-3).

A Man of War

Next, I Samuel 16:18 calls David a “man of war.” The ancient king’s military conquests are well-known. God gave him victory in battle over the Philistines (I Chron. 18:1; II Sam. 8:1), the Moabites (II Sam. 8:2; I Chron. 18:2), the Edomites (II Sam. 8:13-14; I Chron. 18:12-13), the Ammonites (II Sam. 12:26-31; I Chron. 20:1-3) and others.

We know God’s people do not physically engage in war today (John 18:36). The parallel for us is that we are Christian soldiers. Paul told Timothy, “You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier” (II Tim. 2:3-4).

This truth is vital to keep in mind, no matter how many years you have been on the Christian battlefield. Ephesians 6 further describes our warfare: “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (vs. 10-12).

Every day, we war against our three primary enemies: Satan, society and self. Some days will involve more difficult battles than others. Yet we must not let our guard down at any time.

Be ready to defend yourself against the wrong moods, thoughts and attitudes that are broadcast by the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). We can resist Satan’s wavelengths, but we must actively work at this. If you find yourself drifting into feelings of hatred, envy, variance or others (Gal. 5:19-21), fend them off with God’s help.

Society around us also presents various dangers. We must resist its negative influences, whether in the form of bad role models in Hollywood and politics, wrong entertainment being pushed in our faces, misleading or entirely false news spreading rapidly, foolish yet addictively distracting trends on social media sapping our time, or many other things.

We also need to defend against our own human nature and proclivities. Jesus said, “That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man” (Mark 7:20). He went on in verses 21-23 to give various specific examples.

Study the rest of Ephesians 6 to learn more about the specific pieces of God’s armor. Put it on every day and be a spiritual man or woman of war. Confidently triumph over your three spiritual enemies.

Prudent in Matters

The fourth attribute from I Samuel 16:18: David was “prudent in matters.” This three-word phrase reveals a lot. Despite King David’s physical strength and talent in war, he was not a mindless brute. The Hebrew word for “prudent” is expansive. According to Strong’s, it can mean to separate mentally, distinguish, understand, consider, be cunning, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, mark, perceive, skill, teach, think.

There are many modern “matters” that require prudence. We need to wisely manage our time, be effective in the workplace, maintain relationships with family in and out of the Church, take care of our finances, plan effectively for the Feast of Tabernacles, give good answers to people who ask about our religious beliefs, and more.

How can we develop this quality? Psalm 119:104 provides one fundamental way: “Through Your precepts I get understanding [same Hebrew word as prudent]: therefore I hate every false way.”

God’s precepts, which can be expanded to His entire Word, provide understanding that extends into every aspect of our lives.

Proverbs 1:5 says, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” These wise counsels can be from people we know, or from servants of the past in the pages of Scripture.

God will help you develop good judgment. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know you not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?” (I Cor. 6:2-3).

Paul also told the brethren they had the ability to “approve things that are excellent” (Phil. 1:9).

Study the scriptures to gain more of God’s mind and think like He does. Philippians 2:5 tells us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This will enable you to become more prudent in the various areas of life.

A Comely Person

The fifth attribute on David’s resume was that he was “a comely person.” The New Living Translation says he was a “fine-looking young man.” Earlier in I Samuel 16, when Samuel visited Jesse, the Bible says David “was ruddy [reddish], and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to” (vs. 12). Simply put, David looked good. While physical appearance is not as important as inward character (I Pet. 3:3-4), it is an important element of how people see and perceive us.

This could feel like an unfair expectation, especially for those who are described as “base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are” (I Cor. 1:28). We as God’s people are generally not admired for our looks. Neither was Jesus Christ (Isa. 53:2).

Let’s look more at what “comely” meant for David. Did he have movie star good looks? No. I Samuel 16 strongly implies that he was the least good-looking of his family. Verse 6 records that the prophet “looked on Eliab [David’s brother], and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” In verse 7, God explicitly discouraged Samuel from choosing one of Jesse’s sons based on appearance.

Christianity is not a beauty contest. Yet God does want us to set a good example in all areas of our lives, including our appearance. This is one element of letting “your light so shine before men” (Matt. 5:16). None of us are supermodels, but we can do our best to cultivate a good appearance that reflects God’s way of life.

We are privileged to have the knowledge of biblical health laws and principles, which directly contribute to a healthier, more vibrant appearance. In Daniel 1, the young prophet and his friends applied God’s health instructions and “their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat” (vs. 15).

Another advantage we have is the knowledge of God’s standards for hair, clothing and other elements of appearance. These help us avoid the pitfalls of trends in the world and maintain a classic, moderate look.

Read God’s Principles of Healthful Living and the Pillar article “Stick to the Classics” to learn more.

And the Lord Is with Him

The final attribute is the most foundational: “and the Lord is with him.” God’s active involvement in David’s life empowered him to successfully rule Israel, serve God as a prophet (Acts 2:30) and qualify for salvation. Without this, none of the other qualities would have mattered.

When David wanted to provide a temple for God, the prophet Nathan said, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you” (II Sam. 7:3). In Psalm 23, David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me” (vs. 4).

God will also back you up. Paul wrote in Hebrews 13 to “be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (vs. 5-6). Also read Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20.

But we each must do our part. If we want God to be with us, we need to be with Him. We have to stay close to God (Jms. 4:8). This could feel like a big subject but it is not that complicated. Stay committed to putting your relationship with God and pursuit of His Kingdom first (Matt. 6:33), ahead of other goals.

Make time to regularly talk to God through prayer (I Thes. 5:17; Luke 18:1), listen to Him through Bible study (II Tim. 2:15; Acts 20:32), think on spiritual things using the tool of meditation (I Tim. 4:15; Psa. 119:78), and periodically fast (Matt. 9:15). Also strive to continually exercise the Holy Spirit (II Tim. 1:6; John 7:38).

The six attributes in I Samuel 16:18 made up an excellent spiritual resume for King David. They are sure to benefit you if you apply them in your life.

King David continued to add to his resume as his life went on. He reigned many years over Israel, yet he was not perfect. He made plenty of mistakes. But Acts 13:22 in the New Testament reiterates, long after his death: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.” God’s assessment of David remained the same as before he reigned: a man after God’s own heart.

Take action to improve your own spiritual resume. What qualities will be on your list? We only have a limited amount of time to strengthen our resumes in this life, so make it count. Develop these and other attributes of righteous character and be a man or woman after God’s own heart. If you do, you will take your place ruling mankind alongside David in God’s Kingdom.