Today's lesson is from 2 Samuel 7:1-7. You can also use a children’s storybook Bible or read the story retold below:
Has someone ever made a promise to you? What was the promise? Did they keep it? People don’t always keep their promises, but you know who does? God! Throughout the Bible we read about many promises that God made. In the book of 2 Samuel it is a promise God made to King David and some of the promised happened in David’s lifetime, and some of it is happening every day in us.
Story Summary: Before this chapter that was a lot of fighting and David had a lot of enemies. God has appointed him King but not everyone like it. But, God had strengthened David and given him victory over all his enemies. Finally, there was peace in Israel and David settled into his palace. As he looked at all the splendor around him he said to Nathan the prophet, “How can I possibly go on living in such a beautiful palace while the ark of God stays in a tent on the outskirts of the city?” The Ark of God was where the people of Israel worshipped God. David had brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, but there wasn’t yet a place for it to rest permanently. So the Ark remained in a tent that David had set up for it.
David wanted to build a house for God! If you were to build a house for God, what would it look like? What would be inside? Can any building or house truly contain God?
Even so, David wanted to build a house, or a temple, where God’s presence would dwell and the people could worship the Lord. David wanted to honor God by building a temple. That night the Lord spoke to Nathan telling him what to say to David. God said, “During all the years that Israel traveled in the wilderness I never asked anyone to build me a house. My presence was with you and I traveled in a tent so that I could be near to you. But now I will establish my people in this land and they will have peace at last. I will make David’s name great and I will bless him greatly.” God made an incredible promise to David. Let’s hear to God’s Word together, and as I read, listen for the promise that He made… Read 2 Samuel 7:11a-16:
"Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take[b] my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever."
Just like David, Jesus promises to love us no matter what. Jesus promises to always know us and be with us. In the good times and in the hard times. We can thank God for inviting us to be part of His Kingdom by sending Jesus to be our forever King.
Has someone ever made a promise to you? What was the promise? Did they keep it? People don’t always keep their promises, but you know who does? God! Throughout the Bible we read about many promises that God made. In the book of 2 Samuel it is a promise God made to King David and some of the promised happened in David’s lifetime, and some of it is happening every day in us.
Story Summary: Before this chapter that was a lot of fighting and David had a lot of enemies. God has appointed him King but not everyone like it. But, God had strengthened David and given him victory over all his enemies. Finally, there was peace in Israel and David settled into his palace. As he looked at all the splendor around him he said to Nathan the prophet, “How can I possibly go on living in such a beautiful palace while the ark of God stays in a tent on the outskirts of the city?” The Ark of God was where the people of Israel worshipped God. David had brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, but there wasn’t yet a place for it to rest permanently. So the Ark remained in a tent that David had set up for it.
David wanted to build a house for God! If you were to build a house for God, what would it look like? What would be inside? Can any building or house truly contain God?
Even so, David wanted to build a house, or a temple, where God’s presence would dwell and the people could worship the Lord. David wanted to honor God by building a temple. That night the Lord spoke to Nathan telling him what to say to David. God said, “During all the years that Israel traveled in the wilderness I never asked anyone to build me a house. My presence was with you and I traveled in a tent so that I could be near to you. But now I will establish my people in this land and they will have peace at last. I will make David’s name great and I will bless him greatly.” God made an incredible promise to David. Let’s hear to God’s Word together, and as I read, listen for the promise that He made… Read 2 Samuel 7:11a-16:
"Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take[b] my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever."
- What was God’s promise to David? God promised that even though David would not be the one to build a house for him, David’s son would. God also promised that there would always be someone from David’s family on the throne ruling over Israel!
- If you were David and had just heard God promise all these wonderful things to you, how do you think you would feel? How would you respond to God? David responded by worshipping God. He was overwhelmed by God’s goodness toward Him and he prayed a prayer of thankfulness.
- Do you think God kept His promise to David? You bet He did! After David died his son Solomon became the next King over Israel. And just like God promised, Solomon built a beautiful temple for God.
- What was the other promise God made to David? (That someone from David’s family would always rule over Israel.) God also kept that promise!
- Did you know that Jesus was David’s great, great, great, great, great, great grandson? God’s promise is still being fulfilled even to this day, because Jesus is still the King over all creation. One thing that makes Jesus a wonderful King is that we are God’s children. At our baptism we were called God’s children by name and Jesus is always with us.
Just like David, Jesus promises to love us no matter what. Jesus promises to always know us and be with us. In the good times and in the hard times. We can thank God for inviting us to be part of His Kingdom by sending Jesus to be our forever King.
Activities
Remembering God's Promises:
On Sunday morning we will be making name bracelets with beads. This is just one way that we can remember everyday that God knows our name and keep the promise to always love us. How can your family find ways bless each other and remember how you are loved by God each day?
God of hope, You promised to make David’s household great among the nations. Then you sent your son, Jesus, to transform this world so that all people are one in the great household of God. Show us how to live as your children, as sisters and brothers in your holy and blessed realm, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who will one day welcome us all home. Amen.
Body Prayer:
God loves me (hands in prayer) I love God (hands up toward sky) God loves the world (hands wide like holding the world) God help the world (back to prayer)
On Sunday morning we will be making name bracelets with beads. This is just one way that we can remember everyday that God knows our name and keep the promise to always love us. How can your family find ways bless each other and remember how you are loved by God each day?
- bless each other with the sign of the cross at a meal or bedtime
- make signs with each persons name on them and hang them around the house
- make an acrostic poem (each letter is a line of a poem and each letter uses are word that begins with the letter to describe the persons name.)
God of hope, You promised to make David’s household great among the nations. Then you sent your son, Jesus, to transform this world so that all people are one in the great household of God. Show us how to live as your children, as sisters and brothers in your holy and blessed realm, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who will one day welcome us all home. Amen.
Body Prayer:
God loves me (hands in prayer) I love God (hands up toward sky) God loves the world (hands wide like holding the world) God help the world (back to prayer)
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