Anglican Devotional 15 October 2026 By The Daily Fountain of the Church Of Nigeria

TOPIC – But I Chose David To Be Over My People Israel

READ: 1 Kings 8:12-21

12 Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)

15 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

18 And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

20 And the Lord hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

THE MESSAGE:

From our passage, Solomon states clearly that God did not choose any city for the Israelites to build Him a house but chose David to be over His people. The selection of David shows that God knew who He wanted to lead His people and He went for him. “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he” (1 Samuel 16:12). This signifies how dear David was to God’s heart, as God’s election supersedes everything! Little wonder, he was described as a man after God’s heart.

In our world today, people insist on leading people, even when they neither have the support of the people, nor that of God. When this happens, it is either unpopular persons are forced on others or such unpopular persons come to power by force. We should be careful not to allow our quest for power and position get us to such a level of madness. Even in the Church, God chooses whom He wants and sets him over His people, and His choice should always be respected by all and sundry as He does not in any way make mistakes.

PRAYER: Eternal Father, I pray that You look with pity on me and mark me and my family for excellence.