In this lesson, children learn that when people are unkind or when a fight seems too big, God is still with us and we can be brave and trust Him. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God helps us be brave when things are scary, and we can ask Him to do what is good. We do not have to be afraid when we trust Him.
Memory Verse
1 Chronicles 19:13
Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do that which seems good to him.”
(WEB)
Have children stand tall, make fists, and then put their arms out wide like a strong shield while they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting a little louder each time to show courage.
The Story: 1 Chronicles 19 for Kids
A long time ago, a king named Nahash died, and his son Hanun became the new king of the Ammonites. King David remembered that Nahash had been kind to him, so David wanted to be kind back. He sent some of his servants to visit Hanun and comfort him in his sadness.
But the princes around Hanun were suspicious. They whispered, “Do you think David sent these men to comfort you? They are only spies!” Hanun believed them. He grabbed David’s servants, shaved off half their beards, and cut their robes short. Then he sent them home, and they were very embarrassed.
When David heard what had happened, he felt sorry for his men. He told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back, and then come home.” The Ammonites knew they had made David angry, so they hired many chariots and soldiers from other nations to fight against Israel.
David sent his general Joab and a strong army to face them. Joab saw that the enemy was attacking from the front and the back, so he split his army in two. He told his brother Abishai, “If the enemy is too strong for me, you come and help me. If they are too strong for you, I will come and help you. Be brave, and let the LORD do what seems good to Him.”
The army of Israel won the battle, and the enemies ran away. The Ammonites and the other nations were afraid of Israel’s God, so they made peace with David. The fight was over, and God’s people were safe.
Read It Together
1 Chronicles 19:2
David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
(WEB)
Point out that David chose to be kind to Hanun because Hanun’s father had been kind to him. Ask children what kind thing they could do for someone who is sad this week.
1 Chronicles 19:12-13
12 He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do that which seems good to him.”
(WEB)
Show children how Joab trusted his brother and was brave for God’s people. Explain that he did not promise the battle would be easy, but he trusted God to do what was good.
1 Chronicles 19:18
The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrian men seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and also killed Shophach the captain of the army.
(WEB)
Tell children that the victory came from God, not from David alone. Ask them to notice how the story ends with God’s people safe and their enemies defeated.
Talk About It
- What did David do when Hanun’s people treated his servants badly?
- How do you think David’s servants felt when their beards were shaved and their robes cut?
- What did Joab tell his brother Abishai to do when the enemy attacked from two sides?
- Why do you think Joab said to be brave and let the LORD do what seems good?
- When have you felt scared, and what helped you feel brave?
Activity Ideas
Shield Craft
You will need paper plates, markers, glue, and craft sticks or tape. Have each child draw a bold picture or write the word “Brave” on the plate, then tape a craft stick to the back to make a shield. Let them carry their shields as a reminder that God protects us.
Stand Strong Game
Set up two teams on opposite sides of the room. Call out “Attack from the front!” or “Attack from the back!” and have children turn to face the direction you name, staying steady and calm. End by having everyone shout the memory verse together as a team.
Brave Words at Home
Give each child a small card and a pencil. Ask them to write or draw one scary thing they face and one way they can trust God with it. Encourage them to place the card on the kitchen table or by their bed to read with their family during the week.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God’s people can face unkindness, misunderstanding, and attacks from many sides. Adults can see that trusting God does not mean avoiding hard things, but facing them with courage and faithfulness, knowing God is at work even when we cannot see the outcome.
Be careful not to suggest that God always gives His people an easy victory or that trusting Him guarantees safety from every harm. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and on courage in the face of fear.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for being with us when we feel scared or when people are unkind to us. Help us be brave like Joab and trust You to do what is good. Help us be kind like David, even when others are not kind to us. We love You and we trust You. Amen.
