David Becomes King

Saul had turned from the Lord, and the Lord sent Samuel to Bethlehem with a horn of oil. "One of Jesse's sons is to be king," God said.

Jesse brought his sons out one by one. Samuel looked at the tallest, the strongest. But the Lord said, "Do not look on his appearance. The Lord looks at the heart."

Seven sons passed by. "Are these all?" Samuel asked. Jesse said, "There is still the youngest. He is keeping the sheep." They sent for David. He came in from the fields, and the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him. This is the one."

Years went by before David took the throne. King Saul grew jealous and chased him into caves and across the wilderness. Twice David could have killed Saul, and twice he would not raise his hand. "The Lord's anointed is not mine to harm," he said.

At last, when Saul was dead, the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. They anointed him king. He was thirty years old. He made Jerusalem his city, and he brought the ark of God home with singing.

The Lord spoke through the prophet Nathan. "I will establish a throne from your family that will last forever. From your line the King of kings will come." David bowed low. He did not yet know that many years later, in his own city of Bethlehem, a baby would be born who was David's son and David's Lord.