In this lesson, children learn that even when a king makes a terrible choice and everything falls apart, God is still in control and still keeps his promises. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Bad choices have sad results, but God is still faithful and still keeps his promises, even when we cannot see how things will turn out.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 31:6
So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up, then sit down slowly as you read the verse together. Ask them to put one hand on their heart each time they say the word “together.” Repeat the motion three times so the verse sticks.
The Story: 1 Samuel 31 for Kids
Saul was the first king of Israel. But Saul stopped listening to God, and God chose a new leader. Saul was not happy about it, and he kept trying to hold on to his power. Now the Philistines, Israel’s enemies, came to fight.
The battle was very hard for Israel. Many of the Israelite soldiers ran away, and many fell down on Mount Gilboa. Saul’s sons, including Jonathan, were killed. The archers shot at Saul, and he was badly hurt and very scared.
Saul said to his armor bearer, a helper who carried his weapons, “Draw your sword and finish me off, so the enemy does not capture me.” But the helper was too afraid to do it. So Saul fell on his own sword, and the helper did the same. That was a sad and terrible day for Saul’s family and his army.
The next day, the Philistines came back to the battlefield. They found Saul and his sons dead on the mountain. They took Saul’s head and armor and sent the news all over their land to tell everyone that Israel’s king was gone. They even put his armor in the temple of their false gods.
The people of Jabesh Gilead heard what had happened. They remembered that Saul had once saved their town. So the brave men traveled through the night, took the bodies from the wall where they had been hung, and burned them. Then they buried the bones under a tree and spent seven days sad and fasting.
This story is sad, and it shows what happens when a person turns away from God. But it also shows that God was still at work, and that some people remembered kindness and did the right thing even in a dark time.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 31:1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.
(WEB)
Point out that the battle went against Israel. Explain that the story starts with a loss, and ask the children to notice that bad things can happen even to God’s people.
1 Samuel 31:4-5
4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me!” But his armor bearer would not; for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it. 5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him.
(WEB)
Point out that Saul made a choice that ended his life. Help children see that Saul was scared and made a bad decision, and that choices always have consequences.
1 Samuel 31:12-13
12 All the valiant men arose, went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burned them there. 13 They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
(WEB)
Point out the kind men of Jabesh Gilead who did something brave and loving. Show that even in a sad story, God’s people can still choose to do good and show respect for others.
Talk About It
- Why do you think Saul was so scared of the Philistines?
- What choices could Saul have made differently to help his story end better?
- When have you felt scared and wanted to give up?
- What did the men of Jabesh Gilead do that was kind and brave?
- How can we trust God even when things go wrong around us?
Activity Ideas
Mountain Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child draw a mountain with a path going up it. Along the path, they can draw a small figure labeled with a choice they could make to follow God. Encourage them to color their picture bright to remind them that God is with them, even on hard paths.
Brave Helper Game
You will need a few soft balls or pillows and a small open space. Divide the children into pairs, with one person as the leader and one as the helper. The leader tosses the ball, and the helper must catch it and pass it back, showing teamwork and encouragement. Switch roles after a few minutes and talk about how it feels to be a good helper.
Trust Card Take-Home
You will need index cards, a pen, and a rubber band. Help each child write the words “God is still in control” on one side and draw a small heart on the other. Let them take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, such as on the bedroom door or in a backpack. Ask them to read it aloud each morning this week.
Teacher Notes
This chapter is a hard one for adults too. It shows a king who turned away from God and ended his life in despair, and it records a loss for God’s people in battle. Adults can understand that the story is part of a larger account in which God is still working through people who remain faithful, including the men of Jabesh Gilead who risked their lives to honor Saul. The chapter reminds us that sin brings real consequences, and that God’s purposes continue even when we are not sure how things will end.
Be careful not to present Saul’s death as something children should imitate or as a simple warning about being scared. The passage describes a grim event without moral commentary, so avoid turning it into a neat lesson that suggests every bad situation has an easy fix. Focus on God’s faithfulness and on the choice to show kindness, rather than dwelling on the violence or on the details of the deaths.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we know that sometimes life feels scary and sad, and that even good people make mistakes. Help us to listen to you, to make wise choices, and to trust you when we cannot see the way ahead. Give us brave and kind hearts like the people of Jabesh Gilead. Thank you that you are always with us. Amen.
