Week 19 Reading Guide
God’s Pursuit of a King After His Own Heart
1 Samuel 11-31
Big Idea: Saul’s failure as Israel’s first king highlights humanity’s need for a king who truly reflects God’s heart. David’s rise points forward to the ultimate King—Jesus—who perfectly fulfills God’s plan to redeem and lead His people.
Reading Plan
Monday: 1 Samuel 11-13 (Saul’s Early Successes and His First Failure)
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 14-15 (Saul’s Continued Failures, God’s Rejection of Him as King)
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 16-17 (David is Anointed and Defeats Goliath)
Thursday: 1 Samuel 18-20 (David and Jonathan’s Friendship Amid Saul’s Jealousy)
Friday: 1 Samuel 21-25 (David on the Run and His Encounters with Saul)
Saturday: 1 Samuel 26-31 (Saul’s Final Days and Tragic Death)
Weekly DNA Questions
Discover
How does the contrast between Saul and David reveal humanity’s need for a perfect King? How do these stories point forward to Jesus?
Nurture
In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust Jesus as the ultimate King who reigns with perfect justice and love?
Act
This week, intentionally submit an area of your life to Jesus’s leadership and ask Him to help you reflect His heart in your actions.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart."
Reflection for the Week
Saul’s failures as king remind us that no human leader can perfectly fulfill God’s plan. David’s rise and God’s covenant with him point us to Jesus—the ultimate King who fully embodies God’s heart. Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection bring us into God’s Kingdom, fulfilling what no earthly king could accomplish.
Bible Project Videos
Saul and Self-Deception: Saul’s demise is a powerful lesson, but as with all tragic stories, it serves a redemptive purpose.
1 Samuel Overview: Examining Saul’s reign, David’s rise, and God’s purposes.
The Messiah: An exploration of the theme of the Messiah and how David’s kingship points to Jesus.
The Gospel of the Kingdom: How the Gospel reveals Jesus as the ultimate King who fulfills God’s Kingdom purposes.