18. He put up with them for about 40 years in the desert.
19. He destroyed seven nations in Canaan. Then he gave the land to his people as their rightful share.
20. All of this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.
21. Then the people asked for a king. He gave them Saul, son of Kish. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. He ruled for 40 years.
22. God removed him and made David their king. Here is God's witness about him. 'David, son of Jesse, is a man dear to my heart,' he said. 'He will do everything I want him to do.'
23. "From this man's family line God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus. This is what he had promised.
24. Before Jesus came, John preached that we should turn away from our sins and be baptized. He preached this to all Israel.
25. John was coming to the end of his work. 'Who do you think I am?' he said. 'I am not the one you are looking for. No, he is coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.'