Acts 13:22
And 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 mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μεταστήσας
when he had removed
G3179
μεταστήσας
when he had removed
Strong's:
G3179
Word #:
2 of 29
to transfer, i.e., carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἤγειρεν
he raised up
G1453
ἤγειρεν
he raised up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
4 of 29
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
to be
G1519
εἰς
to be
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
βασιλέα
their king
G935
βασιλέα
their king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
9 of 29
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
ὃς
to whom
G3739
ὃς
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μαρτυρήσας
he gave testimony
G3140
μαρτυρήσας
he gave testimony
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
13 of 29
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
20 of 29
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαν
heart
G2588
καρδίαν
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
22 of 29
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
ὃς
to whom
G3739
ὃς
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
24 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ποιήσει
shall fulfil
G4160
ποιήσει
shall fulfil
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
25 of 29
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Kings 15:5Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.1 Samuel 16:13Then 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. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.1 Samuel 16:1And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.1 Samuel 15:26And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.1 Samuel 15:28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.1 Kings 15:3And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.1 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.Acts 7:46Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.2 Samuel 7:8Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:2 Samuel 2:4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.
Historical Context
This quotation combines 1 Samuel 13:14 and Psalm 89:20, showing how early Christian preaching wove Scripture together to demonstrate Jesus's messianic credentials. David's flawed life found ultimate fulfillment in Christ's perfect obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be a person 'after God's own heart' despite personal failures and sins?
- How does understanding Jesus as David's fulfillment change your reading of David's story?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's testimony about David - 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will' - connects Jesus to Davidic promises. Paul's citation emphasizes that God's choice rested on character ('after mine own heart') rather than external qualifications, pointing forward to Jesus as David's greater Son who perfectly fulfills God's will.