Bible Study:
The Heart of Kings, Page 1
Introduction

This study began as a general search for the Hebrew words meaning "heart" that are used in the Bible. However, when I got to the "heart" verses in the books of Kings and Chronicles, I saw something that made me refocus my study. I had always believed the Old Testament kings were judged by the phrase "He did what was right in the eyes or the Lord" or "He did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord." This was correct as far as it went, but for most of the kings who sat on David's throne, God also added a description of their heart condition.

The heart evaluations make perfect sense in light of God's directions to Samuel after Saul failed as Israel's first king.
"The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart," Samuel tells Saul in I Samuel 13:14. Later searching for God's selection, Samuel goes to the house of a man named Jesse and starts looking at his sons. The oldest one looks great, and Samuel is convinced he has found the new king. God responds, "Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." In the end, God selects the young son who was out tending the sheep -- David.

As I took the time to read what God said about each king's heart, I frequently saw my own heart and was challenged. When we remember who the Bible says we are in I Peter 2:9, the application to ourselves as a Christian is appropriate. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclamation the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

On the next page you will find a list of the kings and the verses that give God's comment about their hearts. Write down the comments.

Note: Not all versions of the Bible will use the word "heart." However, one word in the passage given is based on a Hebrew word meaning heart. Also note that my illustration is "King David" by Gerrit van Honthorst