1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 11: God makes David king

Begin in prayer

Before we read how David became king over all Israel, let us bow our heads and pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that He keeps His word, and to lead us to Jesus, the Son of David.

“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

Psalm 2:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep Your word and made David king, and show us Jesus, the Son of David. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

All Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “we are your bone and your flesh” (verse 1). They reminded David what the LORD had said to him, that he would be shepherd and prince over Israel (verse 2). The elders anointed David king over Israel, according to the LORD's word by Samuel (verse 3). David then took the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites, and it was called David's city (verses 4 to 7). The chapter says David grew greater and greater, because the LORD of Armies was with him (verse 9). The rest names David's mighty men, and three of them bring him water from Bethlehem's well (verses 10 to 19).

As you read 1 Chronicles 11, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God kept His word and made David king over all Israel.

Samuel had anointed David as God's choice, and now the elders of Israel came to him at Hebron (verse 3). They reminded him of what the LORD had said, that he would be shepherd and prince over Israel (verse 2). They made David king according to the LORD's word by Samuel (verse 3), so the crown came by promise. David then took the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites, and it became David's city (verses 4 to 7). The writer gives the reason David grew greater and greater, that the LORD of Armies was with him (verse 9). This matters, because it teaches that a king's greatness comes from God's word and God's presence. It shows God as the One who keeps His word to a shepherd and makes him king of all Israel. Bethlehem was David's town, and Jesus, the Son of David, was born there (Matthew 2 verses 1 to 6). God gave Him the throne of His father David, and His kingdom has no end (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33).

How does 1 Chronicles 11 show us that God kept His word and made David king over all Israel?

All Israel came to David and made him king.

The elders of Israel came to David at Hebron (verse 3). They reminded him of what the LORD had said, that he would be shepherd and prince over Israel (verse 2). They anointed him king over Israel, according to the LORD's word by Samuel (verse 3).

David grew greater and greater, because the LORD was with him.

David took the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites, and it became David's city (verses 5 to 7). He built the city all around, and Joab repaired the rest (verse 8). The writer gives the reason for his growth, that the LORD of Armies was with him (verse 9).

Jesus, the Son of David, was born in David's town.

David longed for water from the well of Bethlehem (verse 17). Bethlehem was the town David came from (1 Samuel 16 verse 1). Jesus was born there, and wise men came to worship Him (Matthew 2 verses 1 and 2). The angel told Mary that God would give Jesus the throne of His father David (Luke 1 verse 32).

Memorise

David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.

1 Chronicles 11:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who is my king, and have I come to Jesus, the Son of David?

Israel came to David and said, “we are your bone and your flesh.” The elders anointed him king, as the LORD had said, and David grew greater and greater, for the LORD of Armies was with him. A far greater Son of David was born in the same town of Bethlehem, and His name is Jesus.

King Jesus came first to save sinners. On the cross He bore the punishment for His people's sin, and His death is enough for every sin they have. Three days later He rose alive, and God made Him King for ever.

King Jesus calls you to bow to Him. Turn from your sin and trust Him. Forgiveness is given to all who trust Him, and they have this King to follow for ever.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God kept His word and made David king, and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Parents, this chapter lists many warriors, so please read verses 1 to 9 and 15 to 19 aloud. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He kept His word and made David king, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.

Psalm 28:9

Lord God, thank You that You kept Your word and made David king, and that Jesus, the Son of David, was born in his town. Turn each of us from sin to trust Him as King. Help us follow Him this week. Amen.