In this lesson, children learn that God protected David from King Saul, even when David could not protect himself. The lesson works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and a short activity.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, and He keeps His people safe, even when people are trying to hurt them.
Memory Verse
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(WEB)
Have children place both hands on their heart when they say “God is our refuge.” Then have them stretch both arms up and out, like a shelter opening over them, and say “and strength.” Repeat the motion together three times until the verse feels familiar.
The Story: 1 Samuel 19 for Kids
King Saul was very jealous of David. He wanted to kill him. Saul even told his own son Jonathan and all his servants to find David and hurt him. But Jonathan loved David very much, and he did not want his friend to be harmed.
Jonathan warned David. He said, “My father is looking for you. Hide in a secret place tomorrow morning.” Then Jonathan went and spoke kindly to Saul. He reminded his father how David had fought the giant and how God had won a great victory. Saul listened, and he promised that David would not be killed.
But Saul’s anger came back. One day David was playing music for Saul, and Saul threw his spear at David. David ran away, and the spear stuck in the wall. That night Saul sent men to David’s house to catch him in the morning. David’s wife Michal saw the danger. She helped David climb out through a window, and he escaped.
Michal put a figure in David’s bed and covered it with clothes. When Saul’s men came, they thought David was still sleeping there. Saul was angry, but David was already far away. He went to Samuel, the prophet, in a town called Ramah, and told him everything that had happened.
Saul kept sending men to find David, but God’s Spirit came on every one of them, and they began to praise God instead. Finally Saul went himself. God’s Spirit came on him too, and he also began to speak and praise God. Even the king could not stop what God was doing to protect David.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 19:4-5
4 Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Don’t let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you; 5 for he put his life in his hand, and struck the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”
(WEB)
Point out that Jonathan spoke up for David, even though his father was the king. Ask children how they could stand up for a friend who is being treated unfairly.
1 Samuel 19:11-12
11 Saul sent messengers to David’s house, to watch him, and to kill him in the morning. Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you don’t save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through the window. He went away, fled, and escaped.
(WEB)
Show children that Michal helped David escape by thinking quickly. Explain that God often protects people through the help of other people who care about them.
1 Samuel 19:20
Saul sent messengers to seize David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, God’s Spirit came on Saul’s messengers, and they also prophesied.
(WEB)
Point out that God’s Spirit came on the messengers sent to capture David, and they ended up praising God. Explain that God can change hearts and plans, even when people try to stop what He is doing.
Talk About It
- How do you think David felt when he had to run away from King Saul?
- What did Jonathan do to help his friend David, and why was that brave?
- Who helped David escape, and what can we learn from how she acted?
- Can you think of a time when God kept you safe or helped you through something hard?
- What is one way we can be a good friend to someone who is being treated unfairly?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Window Escape
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple house with a window, a figure of David climbing down a rope or sheet, and a shield or small cloud above him to show God’s protection. Let children color their picture and tell the story back to you while they work. Hang the drawings where everyone can see them during the week.
Shelter Game
Gather a few couch cushions or chairs to make a simple shelter in an open room. Have children run around while one child is “David” and tries to reach the shelter without being caught by “Saul” (a teacher or older child). When David reaches the shelter, shout “God is our refuge!” and have everyone do the Psalm 46:1 motion together. Switch roles so each child gets a turn.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card or scrap paper and a marker for each child. Write “God keeps me safe” on the card and have the child decorate the border with stickers or drawings. Encourage them to place it on their bedside table or in their backpack. Ask them to show it to a family member at dinner and say one thing God has protected them from or helped them through this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s protection of David did not depend on David’s own cleverness or strength alone. God worked through Jonathan’s courage, Michal’s quick thinking, and even through Saul’s own messengers and then Saul himself. It reminds us that God’s purposes cannot be stopped by human anger or opposition, and that He remains faithful to His anointed one.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always rescue us from every danger in the same way He rescued David, or that faithful people will never face hard situations. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His care for us, while being honest that trouble and fear are real experiences for many children.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You keep us safe and that You never forget Your promises. Help us to be brave like Jonathan and helpful like Michal when our friends need us. Thank You that You are our refuge and our strength, even when we feel scared. Amen.
