This lesson teaches children that God is with us even when we face hard or unfair things, and that we can be brave and trust him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When people are unkind or we face a big fight, we can be brave and trust that God is in control, and we can do the right thing by helping others.
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)
Have the children stand tall, put their hands on their hearts, and then lift both arms up high like a strong tree on the word “courageous.” Let them practice it together three times so the words and the motion stay in their minds.
The Story: 2 Samuel 10 for Kids
A long time ago, a king named David was kind to a man named Hanun, whose father had died. Hanun was a king too, and he ruled the people of Ammon. David wanted to show kindness, so he sent some of his servants to comfort Hanun.
But Hanun’s advisors whispered something untrue. They said, “David is not really being kind. He is sending spies to look around our city so he can attack us!” Hanun believed them. He grabbed David’s servants, shaved off half of their beards, and cut their clothes short. That was a great shame for them, and he sent them away in disgrace.
When David heard what had happened, he was very sad for his men. He told them to stay at Jericho until their beards grew back, so they would not be shamed in front of everyone. Meanwhile, the people of Ammon knew they had made David angry, so they hired many soldiers from nearby lands to fight for them.
David sent his army led by Joab and his brother Abishai. Joab saw that the enemy was ready to fight him from the front and from the back, so he split his army in two. He said to his brother, “Be brave, and let us be strong for our people and our God. May the Lord do what is good.”
The soldiers fought hard, and God helped David’s army. The enemies from Syria ran away, and when the people of Ammon saw that, they ran into their city too. Later, the Syrians tried again, but David gathered all of Israel and won another great battle. After that, the enemy kings made peace with Israel, and they stopped helping the people of Ammon.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 10:4
So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
(WEB)
Explain that Hanun made a wrong choice because he believed lies from people around him. Help the children see that it is important to think carefully before believing what others say about someone.
2 Samuel 10:18
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.
(WEB)
Show the children that the battle was won through God’s help, and that the enemies stopped being a danger to Israel. Remind them that God can bring good results even after hard times.
Talk About It
- How do you think David felt when his servants came back shamed?
- What did Hanun do wrong when he listened to his advisors?
- When have you felt scared, and what helped you feel brave?
- Why is it good to ask God for help before we make a hard choice?
- How can we be kind to someone even when they are not kind to us?
Activity Ideas
Brave Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large heart and write or draw one thing that makes them feel brave inside it. Let them cut out the heart and take turns sharing what they drew, reminding everyone that God helps us be brave.
Stand Strong Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a sturdy chair. Call out “Stand strong!” and have the children stand tall with feet apart, like soldiers. Then call out “Enemies!” and have them wiggle their fingers and sit down, then stand strong again. Play a few rounds to practice standing firm and trusting God.
Brave Words Card
You will need index cards and a pencil. Have each child write the words “Be courageous” on one side and draw a picture of a helpful action on the other, such as sharing a toy or saying sorry. Encourage them to take the card home and show it to a family member at dinner to talk about their week.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God is faithful even in times of conflict and unfair treatment. Adults can see how Joab trusted God and acted with courage for his people, and how a leader’s choices affect everyone around him. The passage also warns us that listening to bad advice can lead to shame and war.
Avoid suggesting that God guarantees victory in every hard situation or that children should expect him to fight their battles in the same way. Keep the focus on trusting God’s character and doing what is right, rather than on promises of outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank you for being with us when we feel scared or when people treat us unfairly. Help us to be brave like Joab, to think carefully before we believe things, and to do what is good. Thank you that you are always with us. Amen.
