In this lesson, children learn that a humble, wise person can stop anger from turning into harm, and that God helps us speak kindly even when someone is rude. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God helps us make wise choices, and a gentle answer can stop a fight before it starts. Even when someone is unkind, we can trust God to help us do what is right.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 25:33
Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand.
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand on their heart and then hold up two fingers in a peace sign as they say the verse together. Then have them tap their heart again to remember that God helps us be wise.
The Story: 1 Samuel 25 for Kids
There was a rich man named Nabal who had many sheep and goats. He was rude and mean, and nobody could talk to him easily. His wife, Abigail, was kind and very wise, and everyone liked her.
David, who would one day be king, had been living in the wilderness with his men. They had kept Nabal’s shepherds safe, so David sent young men to ask Nabal for some food for the feast. Nabal answered them rudely and sent them away with nothing.
When one of the servants told Abigail what happened, she quickly loaded donkeys with bread, wine, cooked meat, and many other good things. She did not tell her husband. She rode out to meet David’s men on the road, and when she saw David, she bowed low and asked him to forgive Nabal’s rudeness.
Abigail said, “Please do not do something you will regret. Let the Lord be the one who makes things right.” David listened to her and thanked God for sending her. He said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words, and I will do what you ask.”
Later, Nabal became sick and died. David said, “Blessed is the Lord, who has taken care of me.” David then asked Abigail to be his wife, and she said yes, because she trusted God to take care of her and her family.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 25:32-33
32 David said to Abigail, “Blessed is the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me! 33 Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand.
(WEB)
Point out that David praised God first when Abigail stopped him from doing something wrong. Ask the children to notice that God used one wise woman to protect many people from harm.
1 Samuel 25:24-25
24 She fell at his feet, and said, “On me, my lord, on me be the blame! Please let your servant speak in your ears. Hear the words of your servant. 25 Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men, whom you sent.
(WEB)
Show how Abigail spoke humbly and bowed before David. Explain that she asked for mercy instead of arguing, and that a humble voice can calm a tense moment.
1 Samuel 25:39
When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed is the LORD, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from evil. The LORD has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.” David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to himself as wife.
(WEB)
Explain that David trusted God to deal with Nabal instead of taking revenge himself. Help children see that God is fair and that we do not have to get even with people who hurt us.
Talk About It
- What did Abigail do when she heard that David was angry?
- How do you think Abigail felt riding out to meet David alone?
- Why was it better for David to wait for God than to get revenge?
- When someone is rude to you, what is one kind thing you could say or do?
- How did God help Abigail and David in this story?
Activity Ideas
Peace Sign Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big peace sign in the middle of the page and then draw a small picture of something kind they could say to someone who is unkind. Let them share their drawings with the class.
Gentle Answer Relay
Gather a few small items like cups, spoons, or pillows. Have the children stand in two lines and pass the items along, but tell them to pass each item gently and say “Thank you” or “Here you go” at each step. Explain that gentle words and actions make the game go smoothly.
Take-Home Kindness Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a sticker or two. Ask each child to write one wise, kind sentence, such as “I can help calm a fight,” and decorate the card. Encourage them to give it to a family member and say what it means.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God can use faithful, humble people to stop conflict and protect others from harm. Adults can see that Abigail’s courage and wisdom came from trusting God rather than from a desire to win an argument. The chapter also shows that God, not we ourselves, is the one who brings justice.
Avoid telling children that Abigail’s husband Nabal died because of anything they should copy or that God punishes every rude person right away. The text says the Lord struck Nabal, but children should learn that God is the one who judges, and that we should trust Him rather than take revenge.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank you for helping us stay calm and speak kindly, even when someone is unkind to us. Help us to be wise like Abigail and to trust you to make things right. Please give us gentle words and peaceful hearts today and every day. Amen.
