WHY GOD CHOSE DAVID

The children of Israel were in slavery in Egypt for a long time. God appointed Moses to deliver them from bondage. He led Israelites through the wilderness under God’s guidance. After the time of Moses, Joshua led the people to the Promised Land. God’s people, Israel, had no king. God Himself was their ruler. He spoke to them through prophets. Also God inspired different leaders to govern His people.

For a long time Prophet Samuel was the ruler of God’s people. When Samuel was an old man, the people came to him and said, “Give us a king to rule over us.” Samuel was not pleased with this. But he prayed to God, and God said, “You may give them a king if they want one.”

Soon after this a man named Saul came to Samuel. Saul was a tall and strong man. God said to Samuel, “This is the man who is to be the king over My people.”

Then Samuel called all the people to a meeting. He told Saul to stand up where everyone could see him. “This is the man God has chosen to be your king,” he said. When the people saw what a fine-looking man Saul was, they shouted: “God save the king!”

Now at first Saul was a good king. But Saul did not stay good. Often he did not obey God. At last God said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I have made Saul the king, for he has not done what I have commanded.” So Samuel went and told Saul, “It is better to obey God than to give Him offerings. Because you did not obey God, you cannot be king any longer.”

A little later God said Samuel: “Go to the little town of Bethlehem and visit a man named Jesse, who lives there. I have chosen one of his sons to be the king.” So Samuel did what God told him to do. He went to Bethlehem and asked to see Jesse’s seven boys. First the oldest one came. When Samuel saw how tall and good-looking he was, he said to himself, “This must be the man God has chosen king.” But God said to Samuel, “You must not choose a man because he is tall or good-looking. I have not chosen this one. The Lord looks at the heart.”

Then the other brothers came to Samuel, one at a time. Each time Samuel said, “This is not the man God has chosen.” At last Samuel said to the father, “Are these all of your children?” The father answered, “I have one other boy, the youngest. He is watching the sheep.” “Send for him, and bring him to me,” said Samuel. So the father sent someone out to the field to call David.

In a little while the man came back with David. David was not as tall as his brothers. But he was strong and had rosy cheeks and bright eyes. Samuel was pleased to see him. God said to Samuel, “Pour oil on his head, for he is the one I have chosen king.” Then Samuel took a horn full of oil and poured it on David’s head. In those days, that was the way they showed who should be king. God chose David to be the king of His people because David loved God in his heart.

Dear little friends, God chooses those who sincerely love Him. Let us love God in our hearts. God bless you!