Abraham's family, the people of Israel, reach the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. They begin to settle the land. God raises up judges among them, rulers that are supposed to help the people focus on God as their King. Nevertheless, sin runs rampant, and by the end of Judges the peole are in a moral quagmire. "In those days, Israel had no king. All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." (Judges 21:25)
The people look at the nations around them, notice that they have kings, and request to Judge Samuel that they have a king. Samuel is displeaded with their request. God was their king!
Samuel brings their request to God. God grants their request. (with many warnings)
Saul is anointed king, but despite his good looks and tall stature (things people looked for in a good king), Saul's character is deeply flawed. God removes the kingship from Saul and gives it to David.
Will David be a good king? Will he be the king everyone is looking for?
God makes a remarkable promise to David, one that continues to fulfill the promise made to Abraham, a long, long time ago.
If you can, read 1 Samuel 16 and 17. Notice how David is not the kind of person everyone expects as a king. He's a nobody. A shepherd with a sling.
Notice what God thinks about David.
Continue on. Read Second Samuel 6 & 7, and First Chronicles 15 - 17. Notice David's heart toward God. Notice the promise God makes toward David.
This is God's Story
