Today’s Reading:
Read 2 Samuel 8:15; 2 Samuel 9; I Chronicles 18:14
“David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people” (2 Samuel 8:15).
David was showing the people of Israel that he was a good king. He was leading the Israelites to win battles. Other nations respected the Israelites because of David’s leadership. Good kings need to be great leaders.
Not only did David lead well, he showed that he cared about people, also. David wanted to honor a promise he made to Saul by taking care of any of Saul’s living relatives. Saul’s grandson,Mephibosheth, who was also Jonathan’s son, was the only relative found who was still living. David found Mephibosheth and took care of him. David even invited Mephibosheth to eat at the King’s table for every meal.
David honored God by leading well and loving others well.
Application/Prayer:
David showed his love for God and for Jonathan, his friend, by taking care of Mephibosheth. Is there anyone in your life whom you can take care of? Ask God to help you see others around you who might need to be encouraged today. Make them a card or do something that will make them smile today.
April Memory Verse:
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
Romans 10:9-10
Using the daily reading prompts from George H. Guthrie’s Read the Bible for Life, here’s how to use this devotional:
- Bring your Bible! Your kids need to see that everything you are reading to them or learning about comes from an actual Bible!
- Each day starts with a reading prompt. Read the selection as a family. If your kids are readers, encourage them to read along with you.
- After you’ve read the passage, read the short devotional thought that goes along with each passage.
- Prayer and application are important any time we read God’s word! After each devotional, there is a challenge to help apply what your family has read that day.
- There is a reading for six days of the week. The last reading of the week is a Gospel Conversation Prompt to help you connect the reading from the week with God’s plan for salvation.
Other Resources:
April memory verse coloring sheet
April Fill-in the blank activity