In 2 Samuel 1, David learns that King Saul and his son Jonathan have died, and he grieves for them instead of celebrating. The lesson teaches children that it is right to be sad when someone we love dies, and that God cares about our tears. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
It is good and right to be sad when someone dies, and God is kind to us when we cry. We can tell God how we feel and trust Him to comfort us.
Memory Verse
2 Samuel 1:12
They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they had fallen by the sword.
(WEB)
Teach the children to sit down slowly, put both hands over their eyes, and then slowly lift their hands as they say the verse together. Sitting down and covering the eyes shows sadness, and lifting the hands shows that God helps us feel better.
The Story: 2 Samuel 1 for Kids
A long time ago, a king named Saul ruled over the people of Israel. Saul was not always kind to God or to a young man named David. But David had been chosen by God to be the next king, and he had been waiting patiently for a long time. One day, David was back home in a town called Ziklag after winning a battle against the Amalekites.
Three days later, a young man came running into David’s camp. His clothes were torn, and he had dirt piled on his head, which was a sign that he was very upset. He bowed low to the ground in front of David. David asked him where he had come from, and the young man said he had escaped from the army of Israel.
David asked what had happened. The young man said the army had run away from a battle, and many people had died. Then he said, “Saul and Jonathan, his son, are dead too.” David was shocked. Saul was the king, and Jonathan was David’s dear friend. The young man said he had been near Saul when Saul was badly hurt and about to die, and that he had helped him by ending his life. He had taken Saul’s crown and bracelet to bring to David.
When David heard this, he tore his own clothes to show how sad he was. All the men with him tore their clothes too. They cried and did not eat until evening, because they were grieving for Saul, for Jonathan, and for all the people of Israel who had died.
David asked the young man why he was not afraid to hurt God’s chosen king. Then David told one of his men to take care of the young man, and that ended his story. David did not feel happy about what had happened. Instead, he sang a sad song to remember Saul and Jonathan, and he asked the people to remember them too.
David’s song talked about how brave and kind Saul and Jonathan had been while they were alive. David said he missed his friend Jonathan very much. Even though David had been wronged by Saul in the past, David still loved him as God’s king and mourned his death.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 1:4
David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.”
(WEB)
Point out that David asked the young man to tell him exactly what happened. Explain that it is okay to ask questions when we hear sad news, and that we can talk to trusted grown-ups about what we feel.
2 Samuel 1:11-12
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and all the men who were with him did likewise. 12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they had fallen by the sword.
(WEB)
Show the children how David and his men showed their sadness by tearing their clothes and crying. Explain that crying and feeling sad are normal ways people show love when someone has died.
2 Samuel 1:26
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
(WEB)
Point out that David said he was distressed for his friend Jonathan. Talk about how friends can love each other deeply, and how we can tell the people we love that they matter to us.
Talk About It
- How do you think David felt when he heard the news about Saul and Jonathan?
- Why do you think David tore his clothes and cried with his men?
- What is something kind that Jonathan did for his friend David?
- When you feel sad, what is one thing you could do to show how you feel?
- How can we tell God about our feelings when we are sad?
Activity Ideas
Paper Crown Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw and cut out a simple crown, then write one kind thing they remember about a person who has helped them. Talk together about how we can honor people by remembering the good things they did.
Slow Mourning Walk
You will need an open space, such as a hallway or backyard. Ask the children to walk very slowly, with their heads down and arms at their sides, pretending they are sad. Then have them walk happily and quickly to show the difference, and talk about how God is with us in both moments.
Tears and Comfort Jar
You will need a clear jar, a few small pieces of paper, and a pen. Each child writes or draws one feeling they have had when they were sad, folds the paper, and puts it in the jar. Take the jar home and pray over it together as a family, reminding the children that God hears every feeling they bring to Him.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that grief is a real and honest response to loss, even when the person who died had caused hurt. David mourns Saul sincerely, and he also honors Saul as the Lord’s anointed king. The passage also highlights deep friendship in David’s love for Jonathan, which God uses to show faithful love among people.
Be careful not to overstate the story to children. The chapter includes a death and an Amalekite man who was put to death, and it is best to keep the focus on sadness, honoring the dead, and trusting God rather than on the violence itself. Keep the tone gentle and avoid describing the battle in graphic detail.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we are sad when people we love die, and sometimes we don’t know what to say. Thank You that You understand our tears and that You are close to us when we are hurting. Help us to remember the good things about people and to love those around us well. Amen.
