In this lesson, children learn that God wants us to obey Him, not just to look like we are doing the right thing. The story of King Saul and the prophet Samuel is best for children about five to eleven years old, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to listen to Him and do what He says. Doing what He asks is better than giving Him gifts while doing something else.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the LORD’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
(WEB)
Cup both hands together in front of your chest, then open them wide like a listening ear. Say the verse with the children, and each time you say “obey,” have them tap their ears twice.
The Story: 1 Samuel 15 for Kids
God chose a man named Saul to be the first king of Israel. Before Saul became king, God had a job for him. God told Saul through the prophet Samuel that the people of Amalek had done wrong to Israel long ago, and God wanted them defeated. Samuel gave Saul clear instructions: destroy everything that belonged to the Amalekites and spare nothing.
Saul gathered a big army and went to fight the Amalekites. He won the battle, and he captured their king, Agag. But Saul and his soldiers did not follow God’s orders completely. They kept the best sheep, cattle, and lambs for themselves, and they did not destroy everything as God had said.
When Samuel came to meet Saul, Saul greeted him happily and said, “I did what the LORD told me!” But Samuel heard sheep bleating and cattle mooing in the background. Saul explained that the soldiers had saved the animals to offer as sacrifices to God. Samuel was not pleased. He told Saul, “Obeying God is better than offering sacrifices to Him.”
Saul admitted he had sinned. He said he had been afraid of the people and had listened to them instead of God. Samuel told him that because Saul had rejected God’s word, God had rejected him as king. When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said that this showed how God had torn the kingdom away from Saul and would give it to someone better.
Samuel was very sad about what had happened to Saul. God was sad too that Saul had not obeyed Him. Samuel never visited Saul again for the rest of his life, but he never stopped caring for the people God had given him.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don’t spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing baby, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
(WEB)
Point out the clear instructions God gave Saul. Ask the children to notice how specific the command was, and talk about how God’s directions are meant to be followed exactly.
1 Samuel 15:17-19
17 Samuel said, “Though you were little in your own sight, weren’t you made the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel; 18 and the LORD sent you on a journey, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 Why then didn’t you obey the LORD’s voice, but took the plunder, and did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight?”
(WEB)
Show the children how Samuel reminded Saul of everything God had done for him. Ask them why it matters to remember God’s kindness when we are deciding whether to obey.
1 Samuel 15:24
Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
(WEB)
Point out that Saul admitted his mistake. Talk about how confessing wrong and asking for forgiveness is always a good choice, even when it is hard.
Talk About It
- What did God tell Saul to do with the Amalekites?
- Why did Saul decide to keep the best animals instead of destroying them all?
- Why did Samuel say that obeying God is better than offering sacrifices?
- How do you think Saul felt when he realized he had disobeyed God?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show God that you want to obey Him?
Activity Ideas
Listening Ears Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big ear on the paper, then write or draw one way they can listen to God and obey Him this week. Let them share their picture with the group and explain what they chose.
Simon Says Obedience Game
You will need an open space and no special supplies. Play Simon Says, giving clear commands like “Simon says touch your toes” or “Simon says hop on one foot.” Remind the children that following instructions carefully matters, and that God wants us to obey Him fully just as the game rewards careful listening.
Obedience Jar
You will need a clear jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Have each child write one simple thing they can obey at home, like making their bed or helping set the table, and put it in the jar. Encourage them to pull one out each day and do it, reminding them that each act of obedience pleases God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God values obedience from the heart more than religious activity that masks disobedience. Saul’s excuse of offering sacrifices hid his real choice to do what he wanted. The story also shows that God takes His word seriously and that leaders carry special responsibility before Him.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that God rejects anyone who makes one mistake. Saul’s story is about a pattern of choosing his own way over God’s, and God’s forgiveness is available to those who truly repent, as Saul partly did when he confessed his sin.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us to listen carefully to You and do what You ask, even when it is hard. Please help us to be honest when we make mistakes and to ask You for forgiveness. Thank You for loving us and wanting the best for us. Amen.
