Children Bible Overview 49 30/03/08

DAVID, THE SMALL SHEPHERD AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

Teachers to read bible scripture: <1 Sam 16:1-13>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <1 Sam 16:7> The Lord does not look at the things man
looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Recap
Does everyone remember King Saul? When the Israelites disliked and abandoned God and thereafter
chose Saul as their King, King Saul’s only concern was his own royal status and the support of his
men. Eventually, he became a king who did not listen to God and also a king who harmed God’s
people.
Introduction
As King Saul did not listen to God, God sent Samuel to the house of a man called Jesse. God had
already chosen one of Jesse’s sons and wanted Samuel to anoint him as King. However, when
Jesse’s first son came before Samuel, he saw that the son had fine outward appearance, with a tall
built, intelligence and courage, and was also a soldier in the army. Samuel thought that the Lord, God
would choose him. However, the Lord told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for
the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the heart.” All of Jesse’s seven sons passed Samuel by and God told Samuel, “Not any of
them.” After that, Samuel asked, “Jesse, are these all the sons you have?” Jesse said, “There is still
the youngest but he is tending the sheep.” Jesse then called for the youngest son. His name was
David. When David was before Samuel, the Lord told Samuel, “Rise and anoint him, he is the one.”
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. From that day on, the
Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. The Lord added on to David all the glory, wisdom and
courage. Eventually, God would make him the King of Israel and lead the Israelites.

1. Samuel only looked at man’s outward appearance, man’s intelligence and man’s
courage
1) When we only value man’s outward appearance, we cannot see how God works in
the heart of these people. As a result, we will be easily deceived by the devil. (Just
like how King Saul, who was well-built and manly but his heart did not love God and
he did not listen to and follow God)
2) When we only believe in man’s intelligence, we will not receive God’s wisdom. This
is because we would think that man’s intelligence can solve all problems and hence
do not pray, nor listen to God’s instruction. (Just like how King Saul who often relied
on man’s intelligence but did not listen to God’s instruction, not listen to the words of
Samuel the prophet. Eventually, he did not please God)
3) When we only rely on man’s courage, we will not praise God’s strength. This is
because when we use our own strength to defeat our enemies, we will become
proud and praise ourselves. (Just like how King Saul who often relied on himself and
the courage of his army in defeating his enemies. After that, he became more and
more proud and eventually, he distanced himself from God.)

[Ask the children to ponder: In our daily lives, when we make friends, solve problems, do
we rely on man’s outward appearance, man’s intelligence and man’s courage?]

2. What God looks at is the heart of man

1) What God wants is a man who is after His own heart (i.e. loves God and loves man)
 Confirm: Do I love God? Love God = Love to listen to God’s words, often pray and seek
God, tell others about stories of God.
Confirm: Do I love man? Love man = Love the parents, brothers and sisters and friends
whom God placed beside me and hope that they will know Jesus.
2) God will often touch those who like to pray and rely on God.
Confirm: When we wake up very morning, do we feel like praying? When we encounter
problems, do we first rely on God through prayers? Just like David who often prayed
while looking after the sheep in the wilderness. When he encountered wolves and lions,
he relied to God’s strength to chase them away.
3) The person whom God blesses is one who dedicatedly does the work that God has
given him. Just like how God told David to be a shepherd and he dedicatedly did so
and did the best he could!
Confirm: Do I dedicatedly do the homework, help parents with household chores, take
care of my brothers and sisters, do the activities taught at Sunday school, sing at the
song performance as these are what God has asked me to do? No one praises me, but
because this is done for the lord, am I willing to put in my heart and effort to do?

3. Although Davis was only a small shepherd, because he was after God’s own heart,
God made him the King
1) Although David’s conditions were marginal, because he had the Lord’s heart, God
made him the King of Israel.
2) Because David had God’s heart, what he was concerned about was not himself. He
was more concerned if God’s name was glorified and if God’s people listened to
God’s words. Therefore, God eventually used him to replace Saul as the King of
Israel.
3) Because David’s concern was not on himself but on God’s name and people,
therefore, God blessed him with all the glory, wisdom and courage. Eventually God
made him the King of Israel; a king who would pray for the Israelites and would lead
them.