For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
God sends Samuel to find a new king — and teaches everyone what really matters to Him.
Today's Story
God sent the prophet Samuel to the family of a man named Jesse, to choose a new king for Israel. When Samuel arrived, he saw Jesse's oldest son, who was tall and handsome. “Surely THIS is the one!” Samuel thought.
But God said something very important: “Don't look at how tall or handsome he is. People look at the OUTSIDE — at how someone looks. But I, the Lord, look at the HEART.”
So one by one, seven of Jesse's sons passed by, but God didn't choose any of them. “Are these all your sons?” Samuel asked. “Well,” said Jesse, “there's the youngest, David. He's out tending the sheep.” They sent for him. David was just a young shepherd boy, the one no one thought to include!
But when David came in, God said, “This is the one! Anoint him.” So Samuel anointed David to be the future king. God hadn't chosen the biggest or strongest — He chose the boy with a heart that loved God. A heart that loves God is the most beautiful thing of all.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- People look at the outside, but God looks at the heart. Why does God care most about what's inside us?
- God chose young David, the one no one thought to include. How does it feel that God sees and chooses the overlooked?
- A heart that loves God is beautiful to Him. How can we grow a heart that loves God?