In 1 Samuel 14, a young man named Jonathan trusts God to win a battle with just two people, and God delivers. Children learn that God can save through small faith, and that obeying him matters even when no one is watching. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God can do big things through people who trust him, even when they feel small and the odds look impossible. Jonathan and his helper believed God was bigger than the enemy.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us; for there is no restraint on the LORD to save by many or by few.”
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall and then bend their knees slightly as they say it aloud. Each time they say “few,” have them hold up one finger. Repeat the motion together three times so the words feel like a little dance.
The Story: 1 Samuel 14 for Kids
King Saul and his army were camped near a hill, and the Philistine enemy soldiers were camped across a narrow valley. Saul had about six hundred men with him. Saul did not know that his son Jonathan had quietly left the camp.
Jonathan said to his helper, “Let’s go over to the enemy’s camp. Maybe God will help us, because nothing can stop God from saving people, whether there are many or few.” His helper answered, “Do what is in your heart. I am with you.”
The two of them climbed up the rocky cliffs on their hands and feet. When the enemy soldiers saw them, they laughed and said, “Come up here, and we will show you something!” Jonathan said, “Come up after me, because God has given them to us.” So they climbed up and fought, and God helped them win.
The ground began to shake, and the enemy army became confused. The enemy soldiers started fighting each other. Saul’s men saw the chaos and ran after the enemy. God saved Israel that day, and the battle moved all the way past Beth Aven.
Later, Jonathan ate a little honey because he had not heard his father’s order that no one should eat until evening. The soldiers told Saul, and Saul was ready to punish Jonathan. But the people said, “Jonathan worked this great victory with God today. Will he die?” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 14:6-7
6 Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us; for there is no restraint on the LORD to save by many or by few.” 7 His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Turn and, behold, I am with you according to your heart.”
(WEB)
Point out how Jonathan trusted God before he acted. Ask the children what Jonathan’s helper said to show he was willing to go along. Notice that Jonathan did not wait for God to speak in a loud voice; he simply went forward in faith.
1 Samuel 14:10
But if they say this, ‘Come up to us!’ then we will go up; for the LORD has delivered them into our hand. This shall be the sign to us.”
(WEB)
Explain that Jonathan asked God for a sign before he went forward. The sign was what the enemy said to them. Show the children that trusting God can include asking him to show us what to do next.
1 Samuel 14:45
The people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with God today!” So the people rescued Jonathan, that he didn’t die.
(WEB)
Point out that the people saw what God had done through Jonathan and spoke up for him. Explain that God’s people can stand up for one another when someone has done something good with God’s help.
Talk About It
- What do you think Jonathan felt when he decided to climb up the cliff with only his helper?
- Why did Jonathan say that nothing can stop God from saving people?
- How did God help the enemy soldiers become confused?
- Why do you think Saul’s soldiers did not want Jonathan to be punished?
- When is a time you felt small, and how can you remember that God is still big?
Activity Ideas
Cliff Climbers Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a tall rocky cliff with two small figures climbing it. Encourage them to write or draw one word on the cliff that describes how Jonathan trusted God. Hang the pictures where everyone can see them.
Few or Many Game
You will need a open space and a bell or clap for a signal. Call out a number, such as “two” or “twenty,” and have the children gather in groups of that size. Then call out “God is bigger!” and have them cheer loudly. Repeat several times, reminding the children that God can help any group, large or small.
Honey Reminder Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a few crayons. Have each child write “Trust God” on one side and draw a small honey pot on the other. Explain that the card is a reminder that God is with us in every situation. Encourage the children to place the card in a book or bag and show it to a family member this week.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God works through people who act in faith, even when their resources seem small. Jonathan’s courage was rooted in his confidence that God could save by many or by few. Adults can learn from his willingness to act while still listening for God’s guidance.
Avoid suggesting that God rewards every bold step with an easy victory or that Jonathan’s honey incident is a model of disobedience to imitate. Keep the focus on trusting God’s power and recognizing that the story is a historical account, not a formula for guaranteed outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank you that you are bigger than any problem we face. Help us trust you when we feel small, and help us listen for your guidance as we act. Thank you that you can save through few or through many. Amen.
