Promised land

God had promised Abraham’s family a land. Moses sent twelve spies to explore it. Two spies carried back a huge bunch of grapes on a pole! But most of them said the people there were too strong. Only Joshua and Caleb trusted God. The people would not trust God, so they could not go in.

After forty years in the desert, Joshua led their children across the River Jordan. God told them to march around Jericho once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they went around seven times. The priests blew trumpets, the people shouted, and the walls fell down! God gave them the city, just as he had said.

In the land, people often forgot God. When enemies made life hard, they cried out to God. He sent leaders called judges to rescue them. Later they asked God’s prophet Samuel for a king, like other countries had. Their first king, Saul, did not obey God.

So God sent Samuel to Jesse’s family in Bethlehem. God did not choose Jesse’s older sons. People look at the outside, but God looks at the heart. He chose the youngest, David, who was looking after the sheep. Samuel poured oil on David to show David would be king.

King David wanted to build a temple, a house for God. But God made David a promise. A king from David’s family would rule for ever. David’s son Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem. Then a cloud filled it. It showed God was there.

God always keeps his promises. But even David and Solomon did wrong things. God’s people needed a better king. Much later, Jesus was born into David’s family. He is the King that God promised. He never did anything wrong. He rescues us, and his kingdom will never end.