A MEAN SHEEP OWNER

One day, Nabal, a rich man who owned land and many sheep, prepared a 

feast for his family and his shepherds. David, who had protected Nabal’s 

shepherds from thieves and enemy raiders, sent some of his men to ask 

Nabal for a donation of food or whatever he had.

Nabal refused to give David’s men a single thing and sent them away 

saying, “Who is David? I don’t even know him.”

When David’s servants told him what Nabal had said, David was furious and 

commanded four hundred of his men; “Put on your swords and come with me.”

(1 Samuel 25:1-13)

How do Quarrels Start?
A quarrel starts when two or more people disagree about something. Each one believes that he or she is right and an exchange of angry words may eventually end in a fight.

Do you remember how the first quarrel between two people started? They were brothers. Cain was jealous of Abel because Abel’s sacrifice was pleasing to the Lord, and his was not. Instead of doing what was right, the jealousy that burned in Cain’s heart led him to kill his brother.

The sinful desires of selfishness, pride, revenge, and jealousy stir up angry emotions that keep us from thinking clearly. Because we are selfish, we don’t try to understand how the other person sees things, which brings about misunderstanding.

Do you think Nabal should have given David some food? Did he even know David, or had he asked David to keep his shepherds safe?

Do you think David had a right to ask for food? When he didn’t get it, did he have the right to threaten or kill Nabal?

To avoid quarrels we should try to see things the way the other person would, and not think we are always right.

Verse for today
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? - James 4:1

AN ARROW FOR DAVID

Saul had arranged a feast for one of the regular celebrations. David was expected 

to attend the feast, but instead he decided to hide in the fields for a few days. 

He said to Jonathan, “If your father asks where I am, tell him that I have gone 

home to Bethlehem.” Then they arranged that Jonathan would go to the field 

and give David a signal that would show whether it was safe for David to return to 

Saul, or whether he should run away.

When Saul, who had planned to kill David, found out that David was 

not at the feast he was furious. He shouted at Jonathan for being David’s 

friend and threw a spear at him. So Jonathan went out to where David was 

hiding and shot some arrows. Then he called to his servant, “Isn’t the arrow still 

further away? Hurry up!” These words were a sign to David that his life was in 

danger and that he should run for his life.

(1 Samuel 20:17-23, 33-40)

Why Did David Have to Wait so Long to Become King?
Samuel had anointed David as the new leader of God’s people. David had proved his courage by defeating Goliath and winning many battles. He was also a respected leader and commander in the army. What is more, Samuel told Saul that God had rejected him as king of Israel.

Time was passing, and nothing seemed to be happening. What was the hold up?
As humans, we cannot know or understand God’s complete plan. Often we only see the obvious, not what God is doing to prepare the hearts of people. To prepare a heart that is faithful takes time. It may take years for God to bring about the changes that will make us ready to do the task He has planned for us.

Verse for today
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

A FEARLESS SHEPHERD

One day, while David was taking care of his father’s sheep, a lion carried off one of the

 lambs. When David struck the lion, it turned on him, so he grabbed it by the 

throat and beat it to death, saving the little lamb.

At another time a bear came to take one of the lambs. 

David went after the bear and attacked it, rescuing the helpless lamb.

1 Samuel 17:34-35

Why Would a Shepherd Risk His Life for a Silly Sheep?
If you were a sheep, would you feel safe having a shepherd like David? David did not only care about his sheep; he was brave and strong enough to protect them!

A shepherd’s job is to look after a flock of sheep. However, not all shepherds are the same: there is a good shepherd who will do anything to keep his sheep safe, and one who looks after sheep only because he needs money. Someone who is paid to look after sheep does not care when a wolf comes to snatch away one of the sheep. Even if the sheep scatter, he will not risk his life to bring them back.
Jesus said, "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Because His sheep belong to Him and are precious to Him, Jesus not only risked His life, He gave His life!

Jesus is the only Shepherd who knows every one of His sheep by name (John 10:3-4). When He calls us, we recognize His voice because we have learned to trust Him.
Jesus is also the Gate (John 10:9). Every sheep that goes through the gate is kept safe because thieves cannot come and steal them. But there are other dangers too: the devil prowls around like a roaring lion. Yet, all those who have entered through Jesus the Gate are part of His flock and are perfectly safe!

Verse for today
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

A GOOD SHEPHERD

After Samuel had anointed David, he left and went back to Ramah, 

while David went back to his father’s flock of sheep in the fields.

Day and night David stayed with his sheep to make sure they were 

well cared for. He let his sheep graze in fields of lush grass. 

He led them to quiet streams where the rushing water would not frighten them.

 He used his rod to scare off wild animals and his staff to gently lead the 

sheep away from places that were unsafe.

David wrote a psalm about God. He thought about the 

Lord as a Shepherd looking after him, just as he was looking

 after his father’s sheep.

Psalm 23:1-6

Why does Jesus Call us Sheep?
Have you been on a sheep farm or seen a flock of sheep grazing in a field? Perhaps you have seen a painting or photo of a shepherd leading his flock of sheep. Sheep don’t seem very bright, do they? If someone at school were to call you a sheep, you would probably feel rather upset. Why would Jesus call us sheep if He knew we’d be embarrassed to think of ourselves as sheep?

Like sheep, we need to follow a shepherd, otherwise we would end up following each other and get lost (Luke 15:4-6). Like sheep, we cannot defend ourselves (1 Peter 5:8). Like sheep, we don’t know where the dangers lie (Proverbs 3:26).

Don’t worry too much about being called a sheep—you have the best Shepherd looking after you. He loves you so much that He gave His life to save you. Besides, those who are not part of His flock are called goats (Matthew 25:32). Now that is something you don’t want to be called!

Verse for today
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way… (Isaiah 53:6)

A YOUNG SHEPHERD

Samuel was very sad that Saul had made such a mess of leading God’s people. 

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you be sad for Saul? I have rejected him 

as king of Israel. Get some olive oil and go to Jesse who lives in Bethlehem, for I 

have chosen one of his sons as king.”

When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house and saw his eldest son Eliab, he thought; surely 

this is the one God has chosen. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at how tall 

and handsome he is. I do not judge people by what they look like—I look at the heart.”

One by one, each of Jesse’s seven sons came to show themselves to Samuel; but the 

Lord turned each one down. “Do you have any more sons?” Samuel asked Jesse. “I only 

have one more, but he is my youngest. He is a shepherd out in the field.” So Samuel

 told Jesse to send for him.

When David came in, the Lord said to Samuel, “This is the one—anoint him.” 

So Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of all the others; and the 

Spirit of the Lord came on David and filled him.

(1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13)

What Does Anoint Mean?
Whenever God chose someone to do a special task, a servant of the Lord would anoint the person for the task God wanted him to do. All God’s prophets, priests, and kings were anointed before they started serving Him.
At a special ceremony, oil would be poured on the person’s head as a sign of God’s Spirit being poured on the new leader. From that time on, the Spirit would give that person the power and ability to do what God wanted him to do.

Verse for today
Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” Luke 4:18a

WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

Saul fought against the enemies of Israel and won every battle. One day, 

Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord says that you must attack the Amalekites 

and completely destroy everything they own—don’t leave a thing!”

So, Saul went out and defeated the Amalekites but he did not kill the 

best sheep and cattle or destroy things that were good. His army only destroyed 

what was worthless. Early the next morning, Samuel went to see Saul and asked

 “What is all that mooing and bleating I hear?” Saul explained, “My men kept 

the best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord, but we did destroy the weak 

and unwanted.“

“Stop!” Samuel said, “I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night. 

He told you to destroy everything, but you disobeyed the Lord by keeping the best.”

“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul replied. “We fought and killed all the Amalekites.”

“You did not obey the Lord’s instructions fully,” Samuel said, “and so He 

has rejected you as king of Israel.”

(1 Samuel 15:1-3, 10-21)

Is it Okay to Obey Most of God’s Commands?
Most kids in your grade would probably be happy to get eight out of ten questions right in a test. To pass a class test, you may not even need to score as high as that. What do you think God’s pass mark for obedience would be? Would obeying just some of God’s commands—or even most of them—be good enough?

Not doing what God wants us to do is as much a sin as doing what God has forbidden us to do (James 4:17). When it comes to obeying God, we must do everything He says! Even if we disobey in something we may think is small and unimportant, we allow sin to stain our hearts.
Perhaps you have done something that didn’t seem so bad at the time, but it bothers you now. Ask the Lord to forgive you; then your heart will be pure, and He can keep blessing and using you.

Verse for today
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10