King David has been described as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). While there are many qualities of David we should emulate, we will focus on one in this article – his love for others.
David showed love for a broad range of people. We can see the love and kindness he shared with his friends – namely Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1; 2 Samuel 1:26). He loved his enemies, even sparing Saul’s life twice when he had opportunity to kill him (1 Samuel 24:1-4; 26:2-11). Both instances came when Saul was pursuing David in order to kill him. We also can see David’s love given to those in need with his example of caring for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9).
We must demonstrate love for our friends and brethren (1 John 4:11); but like David, we must do more than this (cf. Matthew 5:46). We are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We must show love and kindness to those who are in need (Ephesians 4:28; Romans 12:20). David showed us an example of love. Christians are to be recognized as such by their love (John 13:35).
David was a man after God’s own heart. So while we can learn from his example of loving others, we should remember that God is our perfect example. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He demonstrates His love for His friends – which Jesus said are the ones who follow His commands (John 15:14) – by saving them. Jesus is “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
God loves His enemies. Paul said that it was “while we were enemies [that] we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Romans 5:11). Jesus said, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). This came about when the world was not on friendly terms with Him.
God also loves the needy – not just those who are monetarily poor (James 2:5; Matthew 11:5), but also those who are “helpless” in their sins (Romans 5:6). God offers salvation to all those who need it before we are worthy to receive it. In reality, we will never be worthy of God’s grace. He offers to save us because He loves us. Let us respond to His love appropriately – submit to His will in humble obedience (John 14:15) and “be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
