This lesson teaches children that God is with them even when people treat them unfairly, and that they can be brave and stand strong together. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God helps us be brave and strong, even when things go wrong and people are against us. We can trust Him to do what is good.
Memory Verse
2 Samuel 10:12
Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”
(WEB)
Teach children to stand tall with their feet apart and fists at their sides on “Be courageous.” Then have them cross their arms over their chest and bow their heads slightly on “may the LORD do what seems good to him.” Repeat the motions three times together.
The Story: 2 Samuel 10 for Kids
King David had a friend named Nahash, and when Nahash died, David wanted to be kind to his son, Hanun. David sent some of his servants to comfort Hanun and say he was sorry about his father. But Hanun’s advisers did not trust David’s kindness. They whispered to Hanun, “Do you think David is really being nice? He sent spies to look at our city!”
So Hanun grabbed David’s servants and treated them very badly. He shaved off half of each man’s beard and cut their clothes short. Those men were so embarrassed that they did not want to go home looking that way. When David heard what had happened, he told them to wait in Jericho until their beards grew back.
The people of Ammon knew they had made David angry, so they hired soldiers from other nations to fight for them. Thousands of soldiers came to help. David sent his army led by Joab, and Joab saw that the enemy had surrounded them on two sides. Joab did not panic. He divided his army and split the work between himself and his brother Abishai.
Joab spoke to his brother and said, “Be brave! Let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what seems good to Him.” Joab and his men fought hard against the Syrian soldiers, and the Syrians ran away. When the people of Ammon saw that their helpers had run, they ran back into their city too.
Later, the Syrians gathered more soldiers and came to fight Israel again. David gathered all of Israel and marched to meet them. God gave David’s army the victory, and the Syrians were defeated. After that, the Syrian kings made peace with Israel, and they did not want to help Ammon fight anymore.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 10:2
David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
(WEB)
Point out that David wanted to show kindness, just as Nahash had been kind to him. Ask children what it looks like to be kind to someone, and remind them that God wants us to be kind too.
2 Samuel 10:11-12
11 He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”
(WEB)
Show how Joab and Abishai worked as a team and encouraged each other. Explain that Joab trusted God with the outcome, even though the battle looked scary.
2 Samuel 10:18-19
18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there. 19 When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians were afraid to help the children of Ammon any more.
(WEB)
Point out that the Syrian kings saw that they could not win against Israel and that God was with His people. Explain that God can change what happens, even when it seems impossible.
Talk About It
- How do you think David felt when Hanun’s men treated his servants so badly?
- What did Joab say to his brother to help them feel brave before the battle?
- Can you think of a time when someone was unkind to you? What could you do next time?
- Why do you think it is hard to trust God when people are against us?
- What are some ways God helps you feel strong when you are scared?
Activity Ideas
Brave Shield Craft
You will need paper plates, markers, crayons, and craft sticks or tape. Have each child draw a bold picture on the plate of something that makes them feel brave, such as a lion or a heart with the words “God is with me.” Tape or glue a craft stick to the back so they can hold the shield up during the lesson.
Stand Strong Game
Choose one child to be the “King Hanun” who stands at one end of the room. Everyone else takes turns walking toward him while calling out “God is with me!” in a loud voice. Each time someone reaches him safely, they stand tall in a strong pose. Let each child take a turn to be brave.
Brave Words Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small box or envelope. Write “Be courageous” and “The LORD does what is good” on the cards, one phrase per card. Give each child a card to take home, and ask them to read it to someone in their family before bed that night.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God’s people can face hostility, betrayal, and military threat, yet God gives victory and peace. For adults, Joab’s words model faith that acts courageously while trusting God’s sovereign purpose, not guaranteeing a particular outcome. The chapter also reminds us that unjust treatment does not have to be answered with fear.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always make bad things end quickly or that being brave means nothing will ever hurt. The story shows real loss and fighting, and children should understand that trusting God means He is with us through hard times, not that hard times will vanish.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You that You are with us when we feel scared or when people are unkind to us. Help us to be brave and kind like David and Joab, and to trust You to do what is good. Thank You for always being with us. Amen.
