David was the man chosen by God, the man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14). We know from later events in David's life that he also disobeyed the Lord and rebelled against his commandments (see 2 Samuel 11:1–27; 2 Samuel 24:1–25). He was not sinless nor perfect. One key difference, however, is that unlike Saul, he accepted the Lord’s authority in principle and genuinely repented when he failed to accept it in practice.1
12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”