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Monday

Israel Wants a King

1 Samuel 8

Today's idea Heavenly Father is the greatest King of all, and we can trust Him.

A long, long time ago, God's people were called Israel. God loved them very much. He was like a kind King who watched over them every single day. He gave them food to eat. He kept them safe. He sent prophets — special helpers who teach us what Heavenly Father wants — to guide them.

One day the people came to the prophet Samuel. “We want a king!” they said. “We want a king like all the other lands have.”

This made Samuel sad. The people already had the very best King — Heavenly Father Himself! But the people wanted to do things their own way.

Samuel prayed and talked to Heavenly Father about it. God still loved His people, even when they wanted something different. God is patient and kind, just like that, all the time.

We are blessed too. Heavenly Father is our King, and He still gives us a living prophet today to help us follow Him.

Tuesday

God Chooses Saul

1 Samuel 9

Today's idea Heavenly Father knows each of us, even when we feel small.

There was a young man named Saul. He was tall and kind. One day Saul's family lost some donkeys, so Saul went out walking, far and wide, to look for them.

Saul looked and looked. He could not find the donkeys anywhere! He was tired and ready to go home.

But God had a special plan for Saul. God told the prophet Samuel, “Tomorrow I will send you a man, and he will be the new king.” And the very next day, there was Saul!

Saul was surprised. “Me? But I'm just a regular person,” he said. He did not feel special at all.

But Heavenly Father knew Saul. He had been watching over him the whole time. Heavenly Father knows you too — your name, your smile, and everything that makes you, you. He has loved you for a very, very long time.

Wednesday

Saul Becomes King

1 Samuel 10

Today's idea Heavenly Father helps us do big, new things.

It was a big day! Saul was going to become the new king of Israel.

But Saul felt a little scared and shy. Being a king was a very big job! When it was time for everyone to see him, Saul even went and hid behind some bags and boxes.

The people looked all around. “Where is he?” they wondered. Then they found Saul and brought him out. Everyone cheered, “God save the king!”

God did not leave Saul alone with his big new job. He gave Saul His Spirit to fill his heart with courage. The Holy Ghost can be with us too — a warm, quiet helper that gives us a brave and peaceful feeling inside.

When we have something new or hard to do, we don't have to do it all by ourselves either. Heavenly Father will help us be brave, one little step at a time.

Thursday

Doing Things God's Way

1 Samuel 13

Today's idea It is good to be patient and wait, even when it is hard.

King Saul and his people were waiting for the prophet Samuel to come. Samuel had said, “Wait for me, and I will come and we will pray together the right way.”

So Saul waited. He waited one day. He waited two days. But Samuel had not come yet, and Saul started to feel worried.

“I can't wait any longer!” Saul said. So he did the special part all by himself, instead of waiting like Samuel had asked.

Right then, Samuel arrived. “Oh, Saul,” he said gently. “It would have been better to wait and do it Heavenly Father's way.”

Waiting can be tricky! But when we are patient and follow the prophet, it makes our hearts happy and Heavenly Father happy too.

Friday

Obey Is Better

1 Samuel 15

Today's idea Obeying right away makes Heavenly Father happy.

God gave King Saul a job to do. But Saul only did part of it. He decided to do some things his own way instead of God's way.

The prophet Samuel came to talk with Saul. Saul said, “But I wanted to give a special gift to God!”

Samuel taught Saul something very important. He said that obeying God is even better than giving a big gift. (In the scriptures it says, “to obey is better than sacrifice.”)

That means the best gift we can give Heavenly Father is to listen and do what is right.

When our moms and dads or our church leaders ask us to do something, we can choose to obey happily and right away. That makes everyone's heart feel warm and glad — and it makes Heavenly Father smile.

Saturday

God Looks at the Heart

1 Samuel 16:1–13

Today's idea Heavenly Father sees the good inside us.

It was time for God to choose a new king. God sent the prophet Samuel to the house of a man named Jesse. Jesse had lots of sons!

The first son was tall and strong. “Surely this is the king!” thought Samuel. But God said, “No. People look at the outside, but I look at the heart.”

One by one, the sons walked by. But God did not choose any of them.

“Are there any more?” asked Samuel. “Well,” said Jesse, “there is my youngest. He is out in the fields taking care of the sheep.” His name was David.

When David came in, God said, “This is the one!” Heavenly Father had looked at David's good and faithful heart.

You are a child of God, and He loves the goodness inside your heart — your kindness, your love, and your faith.

Sunday

David the Shepherd Boy

1 Samuel 16:14–23

Today's idea Even children can serve God with their special gifts.

David was just a boy. He took care of the sheep, and he loved to play beautiful music on his harp out in the green fields.

One day, King Saul was feeling very sad and worried inside. His helpers said, “We know a boy named David. He plays lovely music. Maybe his music can help the king feel better.”

So David came and played his harp for the king. The soft, sweet music filled the room. Slowly, King Saul's heart felt calm and peaceful again. David's gift helped the king feel better!

David was young, but he could still do something kind and helpful. You can too!

Heavenly Father gave you special gifts to share — maybe singing, sharing, hugging, or being a good friend. He is so happy when we use our gifts to help others.