This lesson teaches children that David trusted God to deal with Saul, so he did not hurt the king even when he had the chance. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is the one who takes care of us and who judges what is right. When someone is unkind to us, we can leave the problem with God instead of paying them back.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 26:23
The LORD will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because the LORD delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
(WEB)
Ask the children to put one hand on their heart when they say the first half of the verse, then open both hands wide when they say “the LORD will render to every man his righteousness.” Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time until you whisper the last line.
The Story: 1 Samuel 26 for Kids
King Saul was jealous of David and wanted to hurt him. Some people from a town called Ziph came to Saul and told him where David was hiding. So Saul took three thousand soldiers and went out to find him in the wilderness.
One night David and his helper Abishai crept into Saul’s camp. Saul was fast asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. All of his soldiers were sleeping too, because the LORD had made them fall into a deep sleep.
Abishai whispered, “God has let your enemy come into your hand! Let me strike him with the spear.” But David said, “No! Who can hurt the LORD’s anointed king and be guiltless? God will take care of Saul in His own time.” So David took Saul’s spear and the jar of water from beside his head, and they quietly walked away.
The next morning David stood on a hill far away, where everyone could hear him. He called out to Abner, the captain of Saul’s army, and asked why he had not guarded the king. Then David held up the spear and the water jar to show that he could have hurt Saul but chose not to.
Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that you, my son David?” He admitted, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David, because I will not harm you anymore.” David did not go back, and he said, “Let one of your young men come and get the spear.” God had kept David safe, and David had kept his hands away from Saul.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 26:9
David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”
(WEB)
Point out that David said no when Abishai wanted to act quickly. Ask the children why David believed it was not his job to punish Saul, and help them see that he trusted God to decide what should happen.
1 Samuel 26:11
The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let us go.”
(WEB)
Show the children that David says he would not stretch out his hand against God’s anointed. Explain that David respected the king, even though Saul was trying to hurt him, and that this was a choice made out of love for God.
1 Samuel 26:21
Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
(WEB)
Point out that Saul admitted he had done wrong. Remind the children that saying sorry is brave and good, and that God can change hearts, even when people have been unkind for a long time.
Talk About It
- How do you think David felt when he saw Saul sleeping and knew he could hurt him?
- Why did David say he wanted to leave the judging to God instead of doing it himself?
- What is something hard someone has done to you, and how could you give that problem to God?
- Why do you think Saul said he was sorry after David showed him the spear?
- What is one way you can be kind to someone who has been mean to you this week?
Activity Ideas
Spear and Water Jar Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a picture of the spear and the water jar beside a sleeping king, and to write or draw one way David trusted God. Let them take turns showing their pictures and telling what they drew.
Stand Tall or Lie Still Game
Clear a space in the room and tell the children that one player is Saul sleeping while everyone else tiptoes quietly past. When the teacher says “Trust God,” the children freeze and wave their hands high like David waving the spear. Switch roles so each child has a turn being Saul and a turn being David.
Take-Home Promise Card
Cut a sheet of paper into small cards, one for each child. Ask them to write or draw “God is my judge” on the card and tape it inside their bedroom door or school bag. Encourage them to read it aloud at bedtime as a reminder that God takes care of them.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows adults that God’s anointed leaders deserve respect, and that believers are called to leave vengeance to the Lord. David’s restraint is shown as an act of faith, not a sign that he was weak or passive. The chapter also shows that God can work through repentance, even in someone who has pursued David for years.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always punish bad people right away or that good people will never face hard times. The text shows God acting in His own timing, and David still had to wait and keep trusting. Keep the focus on trusting God rather than on promises of quick results.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for taking care of us when people are unkind. Help us not to pay back wrong with more wrong, but to trust You to be our judge. Give us brave and gentle hearts like David’s. Amen.
