LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: The Third Candle (The Pink One)

SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

LESSON

Kings sit on thrones. They wear fancy clothes and talk to important people. They make big decisions that affect the whole country. Shepherds stand or sit on the ground. They wear clothes that can get dirty, and they mostly talk to sheep. They make decisions to keep their flock alive and healthy. David was a shepherd, and then God chose him to be a king. Shepherds make the best kind of king. They are humble and care more about people than about power. David wasn’t perfect, but he had the spirit of a shepherd even when he was king. Just like a shepherd cares for sheep and keeps them safe from harm, he cared for the people of Israel and protected them.

THINK OR TALK ABOUT

Would you rather be a king or a shepherd? Why?

PRAYER

Good shepherd, help me to care for people like David did and you do.