This lesson teaches children that God wants us to wait for Him and obey Him, even when waiting is hard. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When we wait for God and do what He asks, we trust that He is in charge, even when we feel scared or in a hurry.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.”
(WEB)
Hold your hands together in front of your chest, then slowly open them wide as you say the words. Lift your hands up high at the end, like you are reaching toward God. Do this together each time you practice.
The Story: 1 Samuel 13 for Kids
A long time ago, a man named Saul became the king of Israel. He was a strong, tall leader, and he had a brave son named Jonathan. Saul and Jonathan led the Israelite army together, and the people trusted them to keep them safe.
One day, the Philistines gathered a huge army to fight Israel. They had thousands of chariots and soldiers, and the Israelites were so frightened that many of them hid in caves, rocks, and holes in the ground. Some even ran across the river to get away.
Saul was supposed to wait seven days for Samuel, the prophet of God, to come and offer a sacrifice. But Samuel did not arrive when Saul expected. The people began to leave, and Saul got nervous. He said to himself, “I must do something now!” So he offered the sacrifice himself, even though only priests were supposed to do that.
Just as Saul finished, Samuel showed up. Samuel asked him, “What have you done?” Saul made excuses, saying he was afraid and in a hurry. Samuel gently told him, “You have acted foolishly. You did not obey the command of the LORD your God.”
Because Saul did not wait and obey, God chose a different man to lead His people. God was looking for someone whose heart was truly devoted to Him. Saul still had soldiers, but the army was small and had very few weapons, because the Philistines had made sure the Israelites had no blacksmiths to make swords and spears.
The story shows us that even when the situation looks impossible, God’s plans do not depend on our shortcuts. He asks us to trust Him and to wait for Him to act.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 13:13
Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you; for now the LORD would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.
(WEB)
Point out that Samuel tells Saul plainly that he did a foolish thing. Ask the children to notice that the problem was not that Saul was scared, but that he did not keep God’s command. Explain that God wants us to obey Him even when we feel rushed.
1 Samuel 13:19-20
19 Now there was no blacksmith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears”; 20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, each man to sharpen his own plowshare, mattock, ax, and sickle.
(WEB)
Show how the Philistines made it hard for the Israelites to get weapons. Explain that the people had to go down to the Philistines to sharpen their tools, which made them feel weak. Remind children that God’s people can still be strong even when they do not have much.
1 Samuel 13:22
So it came to pass in the day of battle, that neither sword nor spear was found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.
(WEB)
Point out that only Saul and Jonathan had weapons in the battle. Talk about how the army was small and unprepared. Encourage children to think about how God helps us even when we feel we have very little.
Talk About It
- What do you think Saul felt when he saw his people leaving him?
- Why do you think Saul did not want to wait for Samuel?
- What is something that is hard for you to wait for, and how can you trust God while you wait?
- What did Samuel say was wrong with what Saul did, and why does obeying God matter?
- How can you show God that you trust Him when you feel scared or in a hurry?
Activity Ideas
Waiting Clock Craft
You will need a paper plate, a brass fastener, a pencil, crayons, and a small piece of cardboard. Have children draw a simple clock face on the plate and write “Wait on God” in the middle. Attach a pointer made from cardboard so it can turn. Each day, they can move the pointer and say a short prayer asking God for patience.
Stand Firm Game
Choose one child to be Saul and have the rest be the people. Set a timer for thirty seconds. While the timer runs, the people must stand still and not move, even when the leader tries to make them hurry. When the timer ends, ask everyone how waiting felt, then talk about how God asks us to stay faithful while we wait.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch with a ring. Have each child write “Wait and obey” on one side and draw a picture of a clock or a heart on the other. Punch a hole in the corner and add a ring so they can keep it in a backpack. Encourage them to read the card whenever they feel rushed or nervous.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that disobedience often grows out of fear and impatience. Saul’s sin was not simply doing a religious act, but taking God’s role into his own hands because he did not trust God’s timing. The chapter reminds us that God looks at the heart and that obedience matters more than appearances.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that God is harsh or that one mistake always means losing everything. The text shows God’s justice, but it also shows His patient plan. Focus on the call to trust and obey rather than making Saul a villain only.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we want to wait for You when things are hard. Help us to trust You and to do what You ask, even when we feel scared or in a hurry. Thank You for being with us every day. Amen.
