17. God's Covenant with David

What the Story Says

1. What kind of a man was Saul?

   Saul was tall and handsome, just like the people wanted. But he became a wicked man who did not obey God (#17-01).

2. Who did God choose to become king after Saul?

   God chose a young shepherd from Bethlehem. He was humble and righteous, and he trusted and obeyed God (#17-02).

3. Who was Goliath, whom David killed?

   Goliath was a giant enemy soldier who was three meters tall (#17-03).

4. How did David prove to Saul that he was not trying to kill Saul?

   David cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing in a cave. He could have killed Saul at that time, but he did not harm him. When Saul found out about it, he knew that David was not trying to kill him (#17-04).

5. What did David want to build for God?

   David wanted to build a temple where the Israelites could worship God and bring him sacrifices (#17-06).

6. How did God respond to David’s plan to build a temple?

   God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David he would not be the one to build the temple. Instead, David’s son would build it (#17-07).

7. Who did God say would rule forever?

   One of David’s descendants would rule forever. This person would be the Messiah. But the Messiah would not come for almost 1,000 years after David died (#17-08).

8. How did David sin against God?

   David slept with Bathsheba. Then he murdered her husband, Uriah, who was one of David’s best soldiers (#17-10), (#17-11), (#17-12).

9. How did God punish David for his sin?

   God caused the Bathsheba’s baby to die. He also made David’s own family fight against him (#17-14).

What the Story Means to Us

1. In what ways was David different than Saul?

   The people wanted Saul to be king because he was tall and handsome. But he was a wicked man. God chose David to be king because David was humble and trusted and obeyed God.

2. How might David have learned to be the king of Israel while he was a shepherd?

   While he was a shepherd, David learned to be brave and to protect his father’s sheep. As a young man, he even killed a bear and a lion when they attacked the sheep. Because of this, he was able to protect the Israelites against their enemies.

3. Saul tried to kill David. Why did David not kill Saul when he found him in the cave?

   David did not want to sin in order to be king. He chose to wait until the time when God would make him king. Therefore, he did not kill Saul. Instead, he trusted God to protect him from Saul.

4. Why did God not allow David to build the temple?

   David ruled Israel well, and God was pleased with David. God wanted David to be a good soldier for him. That was God’s plan for David. God wanted a different person to build the temple. David’s son would not be a solider. He would be a builder. God would use him to build the temple. In this way, God would honor David by blessing his descendants.

5. What was the greatest blessing that God promised to David?

   God promised David that one of his descendants would be the Messiah. He would rule over God’s people forever.

6. Why did David cause Uriah to be killed?

   David tried to hide his sin by killing Uriah. If Uriah was dead, David through no one would know he was the father of Bathsheba’s baby.

7. Why did God punish David after he repented?

   God forgave David when he repented. But because David had dishonored God before the people, God had to punish him. David accepted that punishment and obeyed God.

Summary

God chose David to be the king of Israel. He was a humble man who obeyed God. Therefore, God promised that David’s son would build God’s temple and that one of David’s descendants would rule forever. He would be the Messiah, who would come 1000 years later. After David sinned terribly he repented and continued to obey God. Although God punished him for sinning, he still did everything he promised David he would do.