In this lesson, children learn that David chose to spare King Saul even when he could have hurt him, because God is in charge of justice. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God helps us do the right thing even when someone is being unkind to us. We can trust God to take care of what is fair.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 24:12
May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up in front of their chests, palms facing out, then slowly push them away from each other as they say “God judges, not me.” Repeat the motion together three times so the words and the gesture stay linked in their minds.
The Story: 1 Samuel 24 for Kids
King Saul was very angry at David. Saul thought David wanted to take his crown, but God had already chosen David to be the next king. So Saul took three thousand soldiers and went looking for David in the hills near En Gedi. David and his men were hiding deep inside a cave.
Saul walked into that same cave by himself, not knowing David was hiding in the back. David’s men whispered, “This is the day God said you could win!” But David did not hurt Saul. He crept up quietly and cut off a small piece of Saul’s robe. Then David felt bad that he had even done that much.
After Saul walked out of the cave, David ran after him and called, “My lord the king!” David bowed low to the ground. Then he held up the piece of robe and said, “I could have hurt you, but I did not. I would never hurt God’s chosen king.”
David said something important that day. He said, “May the LORD be the judge between you and me.” David trusted God to decide what was right. He did not need to get even with Saul himself.
Saul started to cry. He said, “You are more good than I am. You did good to me, and I did bad to you.” Saul even said David would be king someday, and he asked David to promise not to hurt his family. David made that promise.
Then Saul went home, and David went back up to his safe place. Everyone learned that day that David’s heart was kind even when others were not.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 24:4
David’s men said to him, “Behold, the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe secretly.
(WEB)
Point out that David’s men thought God was giving David an easy chance to get revenge. Ask the children to notice that David still chose not to harm Saul, even though it seemed like the perfect moment.
1 Samuel 24:6
He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
(WEB)
Show the children that David called Saul “the LORD’s anointed” and did not want to touch him. Explain that David respected the job God had given Saul, even though Saul was behaving badly.
1 Samuel 24:17-19
17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you. 18 You have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when the LORD had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me today.
(WEB)
Help the children see that Saul admitted David had been good to him. Point out how being kind to someone who is unkind can change how that person feels and speaks.
Talk About It
- What did David’s men want him to do to Saul, and what did David do instead?
- Why do you think David felt bad after he cut Saul’s robe?
- How did David show that he trusted God to be the judge?
- What is one time someone was unkind to you, and what could you do instead of getting even?
- How do you think Saul felt when he heard David’s words?
Activity Ideas
Robe Piece Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a cutout of a simple robe shape. Ask them to draw a picture of David holding the piece of robe and showing kindness. Let them add a small heart in the corner to remind them that David’s heart was kind even when he could have been angry.
Hide and Honor Game
Set up a few chairs in a circle to act as the cave. One child hides behind a chair while the others pretend to be Saul’s soldiers searching. When a child finds the hider, the hider must say “I will not hurt you” and the searcher bows. Switch roles so every child gets a turn to practice kindness.
Take-Home Reminder Card
Provide index cards and markers. Have each child write or draw one way they can choose kindness this week, such as sharing a toy or saying a kind word to a sibling. Encourage them to place the card on the bathroom mirror or by the front door so they see it each day and remember David’s example.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows adults that real faithfulness means refusing to take revenge, even when we have the power and opportunity to do so. David trusts that God, not his own hand, will settle the score. Adults can see in David a model of humility and restraint under pressure.
Avoid suggesting that children should never feel anger or that David felt no emotion at all. The text shows David’s heart struck him after he cut the robe, so it is fine to say that he felt sorry for even that small act.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you are the judge who always does what is right. Help us to be kind when others are unkind to us. Teach us to trust you to take care of what is fair, just like David did. Amen.
