Week 284 · Old Testament · about 2 minutes · 268 words
👑 1 Samuel 8
1 Samuel 8 opens with these words: “When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.” The line to keep is 1 Samuel 8:2: “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.” Carry the word “name” from that verse into the rest of the day.
1 Samuel 8 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.” 1 Samuel 8 opens with these words: “When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.” The line to keep is 1 Samuel 8:2: “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.” Carry the word “name” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is 1 Samuel 8:2: “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in 1 Samuel 8? Then try this: Read “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
“Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.”
1 Samuel 8:2 · 1 Samuel 8
Say it
Practice 1 Samuel 8:2
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
NowthenameofhisfirstbornwasJoel;andthenameofhissecond,Abijah.judgesin
Talk about it
- What happens first in 1 Samuel 8?
- Read “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.” once more. What does it show you about God?
- Who can you tell one sentence from 1 Samuel 8 before bedtime?
Prayer
Father, thank you for 1 Samuel 8. Help us remember 1 Samuel 8:2 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.
Parent tip
If 1 Samuel 8 is long, read 1 Samuel 8:2 twice and ask one of the talk-about questions. The chapter page has every verse if you want more tomorrow.
Week 284 · the whole night
👑 1 Samuel 8
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.
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