David The King

1 SAMUEL 18, 26, 31; 2 SAMUEL 6,7

            When David defeated Goliath, the people cried, “Saul has slain thousands, and David has slain tens of thousands!” They sang and danced in David’s honor.  Saul was jealous of David and tried to kill him, but David ran away.  Saul’s son Jonathan was a faithful friend to David and helped protect him from Saul’s anger.

            Saul’s army pursued David, but never captured him.  The Philistines attacked Saul and killed his three sons.  Saul died that same day.  Then David became king.

            David was a great king.  He expanded Israel’s territory and was very powerful.  David chose thirty thousand men from Israel to bring the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of the law, to the capital city, Jerusalem.  They set the ark on a new cart and brought it into the city.  Musicians played instruments, and David prayed to the Lord.

            “Lord, I want to build a temple for you,” David said.  “Here I am living in a palace, and God’s house is a tent.”

            The Lord spoke to Nathan the prophet, who told David, “You are not the one who will build the Lord’s temple.  But the Lord will make you one of the greatest men on earth.  Your kingdom will last forever, and your son will build my temple.  As long as you and your children are faithful to me, one of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.”

            David loved the Lord and worshiped him.  He praised God and wrote songs to him.  Although David did not always do the Lord’s will, the Lord kept his promise to David.  Many years later, in David’s hometown of Bethlehem, a baby was born into his family who would be king forever.

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(From Classic Bible Stories, A Family Treasury retold by Lise Caldwell (c) 1998 Standard Publishing.  Used by permission.  This book may be purchased at your local Christian Bookstore or from Standard Publishing (800-543-1301).