GOD SPEAKS TO HIS CHILDREN

 

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23.  David, the shepherd from Bethlehem

 

David of Bethlehem became the second and the greatest king of Israel. He trusted God and God was with Him. And so the people of God cannot forget the name of David. In Israel many stories are told about him.

 

        David was the youngest son of Jesse. He was guarding the sheep when Samuel came to anoint him king. David was a good shepherd. He knew his sheep and loved them and did not run away when a wild animal came prowling round. David was brave. He had no fear of the enemies of God and his people. When he was still a youth, he went to visit his brothers in the battle-camp. There he saw how a huge and powerful man, the giant Goliath, was mocking the Israelites and their God. None of the Israelites dared to do battle with Goliath. But David said to him: You will find out how strong the God of Israel is. David placed a stone in his sling, whirled it around above his head and let it fly. It struck the giant Goliath in the middle of his forehead. At that the enemy took fright. They no longer wanted to fight against Israel. They ran away.

 

        David could sing and play the harp. In the Book of Psalms, the hymn-book of the people of God, there are one hundred and fifty songs that David used to sing. For a time David lived in King Saul’s palace. Whenever Saul was sad, David would play on the harp. Then Saul would become happy again. David was able to defeat all their enemies, because God was with him. So Saul made him the commander of his army. But because David won so many victories and was so popular with the people, Saul became jealous. He wanted to get rid of David. For many years David and a group of his friends had to hide from Saul.

 

        When the Philistines went to war against Israel once more, Saul’s army was unable to stand up against them. Saul’s three sons died in the mountains og Gilboa. Saul himself was seriously wounded. Then he threw himself upon his own sword.

 

(1 Sam 16-31)

 

 

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