In this lesson, children learn that God hears our prayers and keeps His people safe, even when they feel scared or hunted. This lesson for ages 5 to 11 takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and it works well with a simple drawing, a short game, and a few Bible verses read aloud.
Big Idea
God always knows where we are, and He helps us when we ask Him. When we feel afraid, we can pray and trust Him to keep us safe.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 23:4
Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. The LORD answered him, and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to put both hands on their hearts when they say “The LORD will help me.” Then have them lift their hands up high, like they are asking God for help. Repeat the motion together three times.
The Story: 1 Samuel 23 for Kids
David was a young man whom God had chosen to be the next king of Israel. One day, David heard some sad news. The Philistines, who were enemies of God’s people, were attacking a town called Keilah. They were stealing the grain the people had harvested and worked hard to gather.
David wanted to help, but first he asked God what to do. He prayed, “Lord, should I go and fight these Philistines?” God answered him clearly. “Yes, David. Go and save Keilah.” David’s men were scared, and they said, “We are already afraid here in Judah. How can we go fight an army?” David asked God again, and God said, “Go down to Keilah. I will help you win.”
So David and his men marched to Keilah and fought the Philistines. God gave them the victory, and the people of Keilah were saved. But King Saul, who was jealous of David, heard that David was in Keilah. Saul said, “Good! Now David is trapped in the town, and I will catch him!”
David learned that Saul was planning to come after him. He asked God once more, “Lord, will the people of Keilah hand me over to Saul?” God told David that they would. So David and about six hundred men left Keilah and went to hide in the hills and the wilderness.
Saul searched for David every single day, but God kept David safe. Even when Saul came very close, God protected David. Jonathan, Saul’s own son, went out to find David and encouraged him. Jonathan said, “Do not be afraid. My father will not find you. God will make you king one day.”
In the end, Saul had to stop chasing David because the Philistines attacked the land again. David went to live in a safe place called En Gedi. God kept His promise to protect David, just as He keeps His promises to us today.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 23:2
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” The LORD said to David, “Go strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
(WEB)
Point out that David asked God what to do before he acted. Ask the children what they could do before making a big decision, and remind them they can always ask God for wisdom.
1 Samuel 23:14
David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand.
(WEB)
Show the children that even though Saul looked for David every day, God did not let Saul catch him. Explain that God is always watching over us, even when bad things seem to be happening.
1 Samuel 23:17
He said to him, “Don’t be afraid; for the hand of Saul my father won’t find you; and you will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
(WEB)
Point out how Jonathan encouraged his friend David when he was scared. Talk about how we can be a good friend by telling others not to be afraid and reminding them that God is with them.
Talk About It
- What was David doing when he was hiding from Saul, and how did God take care of him?
- Why do you think David asked God what to do before he went to fight the Philistines?
- How did Jonathan help David feel braver when he was scared?
- What is something that makes you feel afraid, and what could you pray about it?
- How can you show kindness to a friend who is feeling worried or scared?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Safe Hiding Place
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of David hiding in the hills, with God watching over him from the sky. Let them add a hill, a cave, and a sun or cloud to show God’s presence. Talk about how God is like a safe hiding place for us.
Follow the Leader Prayer Walk
You will need a open space like a hallway or a yard. Have the children walk around while you call out “Ask God!” and everyone stops and folds their hands. Then call out “Go!” and they keep walking. Explain that David stopped to ask God before he moved, and we can do the same.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards or small pieces of paper, and a marker. Write “God keeps me safe” on each card, one for each child. Ask them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, like by their bed or on the refrigerator. Encourage them to read it aloud each night before they go to sleep.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God guides His people through prayer, even when the path ahead is dangerous or uncertain. David repeatedly brought his decisions to the LORD and trusted His direction, even when his own men were afraid. Adults can take encouragement that God knows exactly where we are and that He remains faithful when enemies seem close.
Be careful not to suggest that God will always rescue us from every danger in the way He rescued David. Some faithful people suffer hardship, and children should understand that God’s protection includes His presence and His purposes, not only a guaranteed escape. Keep the focus on trusting God rather than promising a particular outcome.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for always knowing where we are. Help us to ask You what to do, just like David did. When we feel scared, remind us that You are with us and You will keep us safe. Amen.
