The Big Story · Stop 4

What happened to God's people under their kings, and what did the prophets say?

A shepherd boy becomes king. His family rules for centuries. Some kings are good, many are not. Prophets stand up and tell the truth. Then Jerusalem falls, and many people are carried away. Today you'll find out how God's promise survived all of it.

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Kings and prophets

Israel asked for a king. After Saul came David, the shepherd who played the harp and is remembered for writing psalms. God promised David that his family's throne would last forever. David was a great king and also did terrible wrong. When the prophet Nathan told him the truth, David confessed. God forgave him and still kept the promise.

Many kings after David led the people away from God and treated the poor unfairly. God sent prophets like Elijah, Amos, and Isaiah. They spoke up for widows, orphans, and strangers, and called the people back to God.

The kingdom split in two, and Assyria conquered the north. Later the Babylonian army destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Many people were taken far away. This is called the exile. It felt like the end.

But the prophets also brought hope. “Comfort, O comfort my people,” God said through Isaiah. The people came home, rebuilt, and waited for the promised king from David's family. Christians believe that king is Jesus.

Read it in your Bible

2 Samuel 7:12–13. Through the prophet Nathan, God promises David that one of his children will build a house for God's name, and God will make that kingdom last forever.
Isaiah 40:1–2. God tells the prophet to comfort God's people. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her the hard time is over and her sins are forgiven.

The Second Petition, from Luther's Small Catechism

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean? The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.

How is this done? When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.

Words to know

David. The shepherd who became Israel's greatest king and is linked with many psalms. God promised his family a kingdom forever. Jesus is called Son of David.
Prophet. Someone God sends to speak God's word, often to people in power. Prophets told hard truths and brought real hope.
Exile. When many of God's people were carried away to Babylon. Even far from home, God didn't leave them.
Psalms. The Bible's book of 150 songs and prayers, many of them credited to David. Every feeling is in there, from joy to anger. You can pray them too.