Christ Apostolic Church Sunday School Lesson For June 14, 2026: Lesson 21: Title - The Kingdom Of Israel

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH (CAC)

Nigeria and Overseas

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

Theme: The Bible – God's Message to Humanity

January – December 2026

Unit III: God's Covenants and Life in the Old Testament

Date: June 14, 2026

Lesson 21

TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL

Memory Verse

"If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God." — 1 Samuel 12:14

Israel's monarchy was established under God's sovereign direction. Through the prophet Samuel, God anointed kings to lead His people, ultimately choosing David according to His divine purpose.

Brief Commentary

In this passage, Samuel reminds the Israelites that the success of their nation and the stability of their leadership depend entirely on their obedience to God. This occurred during a significant transition in Israel's history—from a system of judges, where God directly governed His people, to a monarchy led by human kings.

Desiring to be like the surrounding nations, the Israelites demanded a king to lead them. Although this request reflected a shift away from God's direct rule, He permitted it and continued to guide His people through their chosen leaders.

Samuel emphasized that Israel's prosperity would always depend on faithfulness to God, regardless of its form of government. Unlike the kings of other nations, Israel's king was expected to submit to God and lead the people according to His commandments.

This truth points forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal King who fully accomplished God's will. The lesson reminds us that genuine leadership is rooted in humility, obedience, and dependence on God.

Devotional Bible Readings

Monday, June 8: Deborah – The First Female Judge (Judges 4:4–7)

Tuesday, June 9: Ehud – The Left-Handed Deliverer (Judges 3:15–30)

Wednesday, June 10: Gideon Requested a Sign (Judges 6:36–40)

Thursday, June 11: Othniel – Israel's First Judge (Judges 3:7–10)

Friday, June 12: Prophecy Against Eli's Household (1 Samuel 2:22–36)

Saturday, June 13: Samson – The Nazarite (Judges 13:1–5)

Devotional Thoughts

God remains sovereign over the affairs of nations and continues to appoint and remove leaders according to His will. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Even within democratic systems, God is actively involved and deeply concerned about the welfare of His people.

Background Scripture

Daniel 5:1–30

Aim and Objectives

Aim

To examine the reigns of Israel's first three kings and understand how the kingdom of Israel was established.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

Explain the lives and reigns of Israel's first three kings.

Describe how the kingdom of Israel was established through their leadership.

Introduction

Textual References

1 Samuel 8:5, 20; 9:1ff; 10:8; 13:8–14; 16:1ff; 2 Samuel 5:4–5; 1 Kings 1:28ff

In our previous lesson, we learned how God led Israel from Egypt through the wilderness into the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses and Joshua.

Following the era of the judges, the Israelites desired a king like the surrounding nations. This request marked the beginning of Israel's monarchy.

This week's lesson focuses on the reigns of Israel's first three kings—Saul, David, and Solomon—and how their leadership influenced the nation's relationship with God and His Word. The transition from divine rule to human kingship played a significant role in shaping Israel's history and the message of the Old Testament.

May God grant us understanding as we study His Word and apply its lessons to our daily lives. Amen.

Lesson Outline

I. The Emergence of King Saul

II. The Reign of David and Solomon

Lesson Exposition

I. The Emergence of King Saul

(1 Samuel 8:5, 20; 9:1ff; 10:8; 13:8–14)

"That we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." — 1 Samuel 8:20

Key Points

a. The Israelites had long been governed by judges and prophets. However, they requested a king like the surrounding nations, leading to a transition from theocracy to monarchy. Although God allowed this change, it reflected His permissive rather than perfect will.

b. Through this arrangement, God chose to work through a human king rather than exercising direct leadership over the nation. Samuel carefully recorded these events to help future generations understand the reasons behind Israel's demand for a king.

c. Saul's rise to the throne began while he was searching for his father's lost donkeys. God used this ordinary assignment to lead him to Samuel, reminding us that God often works through everyday circumstances.

d. Though Saul was anointed king, he was instructed to wait for God's direction. His experience teaches that every leader must submit to God's authority and remain obedient to His Word.

e. Saul later lost God's favor because of impatience and disobedience. His unauthorized sacrifice and failure to completely obey God's command concerning the Amalekites led to his rejection as king. His story highlights the importance of trusting and obeying God fully.

f. Although Israel insisted on having a king, God's permission did not mean approval. This event demonstrates the tension between human desires and God's perfect plan, emphasizing the need to align with divine guidance.

II. The Reign of David and Solomon

(1 Samuel 16:1ff; 2 Samuel 5:4–5; 1 Kings 1:28ff)

"How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons." — 1 Samuel 16:1

Key Points

a. After rejecting Saul, God chose David, a humble shepherd, to become king. This demonstrates that God values the condition of the heart above outward appearance and points forward to the coming Messiah.

b. Although David was chosen by God, he was not immediately crowned king. His journey teaches patience, preparation, and spiritual growth before promotion.

c. God established a covenant with David, promising that his descendants would rule forever. This promise ultimately found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and became the foundation of Israel's Messianic hope.

d. Solomon's anointing fulfilled God's promise to David. When Solomon asked God for wisdom, he received wisdom, wealth, and honor. His writings, especially the Proverbs, greatly influenced Israel's understanding of godly living.

e. Jesus Christ descended from David's lineage, fulfilling God's promise of an everlasting kingdom. This connection reveals God's redemptive plan throughout history.

f. The Davidic Covenant strengthened Israel's expectation of a future Messiah who would bring peace, righteousness, and salvation—expectations perfectly fulfilled in Christ.

Lessons Derived

Saul's life teaches that obedience and humility attract God's blessings, while disobedience leads to loss of favor.

God's covenant with David reveals His long-term plan for humanity, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions

1. Explain how Saul emerged as Israel's first king.

2. In what ways did David's selection as king fulfill Messianic prophecies?

Suggested Answers

Answer to Question 1

Saul's enthronement marked a major turning point in Israel's history.

Before Saul, God governed Israel through judges and prophets.

The people requested a king so they could be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:20).

Though displeased with their request, God permitted it (1 Samuel 8:7).

Saul was divinely chosen, but his reign exposed the dangers of depending on human leadership instead of God's guidance.

Following Saul's rejection, the need for a better king became evident, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ.

This transition illustrates humanity's need for the perfect King who would reign in righteousness forever.

Answer to Question 2

God chose David because of his heart and devotion, not his outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

God promised that David's descendants would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

This promise pointed directly to Jesus Christ, the Messiah and eternal King.

David's life demonstrated God's faithfulness and prepared Israel for the coming Savior.

His story encourages believers to trust God's timing and remain confident that His promises will always come to pass.

Life Application

Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele (1880–1965), the Olubadan of Ibadan and the first President of Christ Apostolic Church, demonstrated remarkable devotion to God and service to humanity. Through his commitment to both the Church and society, he left a lasting legacy of leadership and faithfulness.

As Daniel 11:32 declares, "Those who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits." His life reflected this truth. Because he honored God, his reign was established and impactful. His story mirrors God's establishment of David's kingdom—a leadership founded on reverence for God and dedication to His purposes.

Conclusion

By God's grace, we have completed Lesson 21. May we continually value God's grace, remain obedient to His Word, and trust His divine leadership in every area of our lives. Amen.