1 Chronicles 16:1-36
International Children’s Bible
16 They brought the Ark of the Covenant of God and put it inside the tent. This was the tent David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to God. 2 David finished giving the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he used the Lord’s name to bless the people. 3 He gave a loaf of bread, some dates and raisins to every Israelite man and woman.
4 Then David appointed some of the Levites to serve before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. They had the job of leading the worship. They gave thanks and praise to the Lord, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the leader. He played the cymbals. Zechariah was second to him. The other Levites were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps. 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel were priests. They blew the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the Covenant with God. 7 That day David first gave Asaph and his relatives the job of singing praises to the Lord.
David’s Song of Thanks
8 Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him.
Tell the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him. Sing praises to him.
Tell about all the wonderful things he has done.
10 Be glad that you are his.
Let those who ask the Lord for help be happy.
11 Depend on the Lord and his strength.
Always go to him for help.
12 Remember the wonderful things he has done.
Remember his miracles and his decisions.
13 You are the descendants of Israel, the Lord’s servant.
You are the children of Jacob, his chosen people.
14 He is the Lord our God.
His laws are for all the world.
15 He will keep his agreement forever.
He will keep his promises always.
16 He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham.
He will keep the promise he made to Isaac.
17 The Lord made it a law for the people of Jacob.
He made it an agreement with Israel to last forever.
18 The Lord said, “I will give you the land of Canaan. The promised land will belong to you.”
19 Then God’s people were few in number.
They were strangers in the land.
20 They went from one nation to another.
They went from one kingdom to another.
21 But the Lord did not let anyone hurt them.
He warned kings not to harm them.
22 He said, “Don’t hurt my chosen people.
Don’t harm my prophets.”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Every day tell how he saves us.
24 Tell the nations about the Lord’s glory.
Tell all peoples about his wonderful works.
25 The Lord is great; he should be praised.
He should be honored more than all the gods.
26 All the gods of the nations are only idols.
But the Lord made the skies.
27 The Lord has glory and majesty.
He has power and joy in his Temple.
28 Praise the Lord, all nations on earth.
Praise the Lord’s glory and power.
29 Praise the Lord for the glory of his name.
Bring your offering to him.
Worship the Lord because he is holy.
30 The whole earth should tremble before the Lord.
The earth is set, and it cannot be moved.
31 Let the skies rejoice and the earth be glad.
Let people everywhere say, “The Lord is king!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it shout.
Let the fields and everything in them show their joy.
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing.
They will sing with joy before the Lord.
They will sing because the Lord is coming to judge the world.
34 Thank the Lord because he is good.
His love continues forever.
35 Say to him, “Save us, God our Savior.
Bring us back and save us from the nations.
Then we will thank you.
Then we will gladly praise you.”
36 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
forever and forever.
All the people said, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
Read full chapter
1 Samuel 16:14-23
International Children’s Bible
David Serves Saul
14 But the Lord’s Spirit had gone out of Saul. And an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.
15 Saul’s servants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Give us the command. We will look for someone who can play the harp. When the evil spirit from the Lord enters you, he will play. Then the evil spirit will leave you alone. And you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find someone. If he plays well, bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants said, “Jesse of Bethlehem has a son who plays the harp. I have seen him play it. He is a brave man and fights well. He is a good speaker and handsome. And the Lord is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse. The message said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse loaded a donkey with bread and a leather bag full of wine. He also took a young goat. He sent them all with his son David to Saul.
21 When David came to Saul, he began to serve him. Saul loved David very much. And David became the officer who carried Saul’s armor. 22 Saul sent a message to Jesse. He said, “Let David stay and serve me. I like him.”
23 When the evil spirit from God entered Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then the evil spirit would go out of him. And Saul would feel relief. He would feel better again.
Read full chapter
Psalm 23
International Children’s Bible
The Lord the Shepherd
A song of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd.
I have everything I need.
2 He gives me rest in green pastures.
He leads me to calm water.
3 He gives me new strength.
For the good of his name,
he leads me on paths that are right.
4 Even if I walk
through a very dark valley,
I will not be afraid
because you are with me.
Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.
5 You prepare a meal for me
in front of my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on my head.[a]
You give me more than I can hold.
6 Surely your goodness and love will be with me
all my life.
And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Footnotes
- 23:5 pour oil . . . head This can mean that God gave him great wealth and blessed him.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Bible Gateway Recommends
