"After My Own Heart"

[citrus_x_paradisi]

Is the phrase “a man after my own heart” a literary reference, or just an archaic expression that’s now seen as being ‘quaint’?

Thanks.

[Q.E.D]

It appears to be biblical in origin:

Samuel 13:14. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

[Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker]

And from the Hebrew references I looked at, “kindred spirit” is probably a better translation in modern English. The “after His own heart” appears to be more literal, (of course, “heart” in this context apparently referring to the soul rather than the pump).