In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when people try to get their own way. It suits ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with plenty of room for stories, questions and a simple craft.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, even when other people try to take what He has planned for someone else. We can trust Him to do what is right.
Memory Verse
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with arms straight out to the sides, like a king who is sure of himself. Then slowly bring both hands together in front of the heart while saying the verse. Repeat it three times, getting slower each time, until the motion and the words stick together.
The Story: 1 Kings 1 for Kids
King David was very old. He was so old that he could never seem to get warm, even when people piled blankets on him. His servants went looking across the whole land of Israel and found a kind young woman named Abishag. She cared for the old king and kept him warm.
A son of David named Adonijah decided that he wanted to be king. He gathered chariots, horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. He invited his brothers and some of the important men of Judah to a big feast, and he did not invite Nathan the prophet, the priest Zadok, or Solomon, the son God had chosen to follow David.
Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and said, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah is making himself king? Go and remind King David what he promised you.” Bathsheba went to David, and she said, “My lord, you promised me that Solomon would be king after you. Now Adonijah is reigning, and you don’t even know it.” While she was still talking, Nathan came in and told the king the same thing.
King David remembered his promise. He said, “As the LORD lives, Solomon will be king after me, just as I promised.” He called Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah and gave them clear orders. They put Solomon on David’s own mule, took him down to Gihon, poured oil on his head to make him king, and blew the trumpet. All the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”
When Adonijah’s guests heard the trumpets and the cheering, they were scared and ran away. Adonijah was afraid too. He ran to the altar and held on to its horns, asking Solomon to promise he would not hurt him. Solomon said that if Adonijah acted in a good way, he would be safe, and he sent him home.
Read It Together
1 Kings 1:1-4
1 Now king David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” 3 So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.
(WEB)
Point out how old David was and how the servants looked for someone to care for him. Ask the children what it feels like to be cold and how a warm blanket or a kind helper can make a hard day better.
1 Kings 1:29-31
29 The king swore, and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 30 most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.” 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”
(WEB)
Show the children that David kept his word. Explain that when God or a person makes a promise, they are the ones who decide how it happens, and we do not have to take charge ourselves.
1 Kings 1:50-52
50 Adonijah was afraid because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and hung onto the horns of the altar. 51 Solomon was told, “Behold, Adonijah fears king Solomon; for, behold, he is hanging onto the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let king Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’” 52 Solomon said, “If he shows himself a worthy man, not a hair of his shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”
(WEB)
Notice that Adonijah was scared and ran to the altar for safety. Help the children see that Solomon showed mercy when Adonijah acted well, and talk about how kindness can be a good choice even after someone has done wrong.
Talk About It
- What did Adonijah want, and what do you think made him want it so badly?
- How did Bathsheba and Nathan help King David remember what he had promised?
- Why do you think God wanted Solomon to be the next king?
- When someone tries to take something that is not theirs, what can you do instead of getting angry?
- How can you show that you trust God to keep His promises when things feel uncertain?
Activity Ideas
Paper Crown Craft
You will need strips of construction paper, tape or staples, crayons or markers, and glue with some glitter if you have it. Let each child decorate a strip, then tape it into a circle that fits their head. Ask them to write or draw one thing God has promised to do, and talk about how a crown reminds us that God is the true King.
Trumpet Walk
You will need a large open space and a cardboard tube or a paper towel roll for each child. Pretend the tube is a trumpet, and have the children march around the room, blowing a silent trumpet and shouting “Long live King Solomon!” Then stop, and have them quietly sit down to show how the crowd went home. This helps them feel the change from celebration to calm.
Promise Pocket Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a folded slip of paper for each child. Have the children write a short promise from God on the card, such as “God keeps His word,” and tuck it into the folded pocket. Encourage them to take it home and place it somewhere they will see it each morning as a reminder that God is faithful.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s plans do not depend on human schemes. Adonijah tried to seize the throne, but David’s oath and God’s appointment of Solomon stood firm. It also shows the value of faithful people like Nathan, Bathsheba and Zadok, who acted at the right moment to protect what God had said.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that God always makes things turn out the way we want as soon as we ask. The story teaches that God keeps His promises in His own timing and way, and that we can trust Him even when we do not understand how He will act.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You always keep Your promises. Help us to trust You when things seem hard or unfair. Teach us to be kind, even when others make mistakes, and help us to wait patiently for You to lead the way. Amen.
