This lesson teaches children that God can save His people even when they are very small, and that He wants us to trust Him and be honest with Him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God can do great things through one trusting person, and He still does, even when the odds look impossible. We can always tell Him what we are feeling and what we have done.
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)
Teach the children to stand with feet apart and raise both arms high like a mighty tree on the word “many,” then bring their arms down slowly on “few.” Repeat the motion together three times so the children link the words with the picture of God being bigger than any crowd.
The Story: 1 Samuel 14 for Kids
King Saul had a son named Jonathan, and Jonathan was brave. One day Jonathan said to his helper, a young man who carried his armor, “Let us go over to the enemy soldiers on the other side.” Jonathan did not tell his father about the plan. He trusted God to show them what to do.
The path to the enemy camp was narrow, between two tall rocky cliffs. Jonathan said, “Maybe the LORD will help us. Nothing can stop God from saving His people, whether they are many or few.” His helper answered, “Do whatever is in your heart. I am with you.”
The two of them climbed up toward the enemy soldiers. The soldiers saw them and shouted, “Come up to us, and we will show you something!” Jonathan said, “Come up after me, because the LORD has given them to us.” Jonathan climbed up with his hands and feet, and his helper followed him. God helped them win the first fight, and the enemy soldiers began to shake with fear.
Back in the camp, King Saul saw the enemy soldiers running away. He counted his men and discovered that Jonathan was missing. Saul wanted to ask God what to do next. Then he made a promise that was not wise. He told the people that no one should eat any food until evening.
Jonathan had not heard the promise. He dipped a stick in some honey and ate a little, and his eyes brightened. Later the people told him about the promise, and Jonathan said, “My father has made the people very tired and weak.” When evening came, the people were so hungry that they ate meat without washing away the blood, which God had told them not to do. Saul fixed the problem by asking everyone to bring their animals to a special stone and offer them properly to God.
At the end of the day, Saul learned that Jonathan had eaten the honey. Saul said that Jonathan must die, but the people said, “No! Jonathan helped save Israel today. God is with him.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was safe. God saved Israel that day through a brave young man who trusted Him.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 14:10-12
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.” 11 Both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, “Behold, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves!” 12 The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something!” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me; for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”
(WEB)
Show the children that Jonathan asked God for a clear sign before he moved forward. Explain that waiting for God’s direction and then acting on it is a way of trusting Him, and point out how the soldiers’ words became the sign Jonathan had hoped for.
1 Samuel 14:44-45
44 Saul said, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 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)
Help the children see that the people spoke up for Jonathan when a wrong decision was about to be made. Point out that God used the courage of the people as well as the courage of Jonathan, and that standing up for what is right is part of loving others.
Talk About It
- What do you think Jonathan felt when he decided to go toward the enemy soldiers with only one helper?
- How did Jonathan show that he trusted God in this story?
- Why do you think King Saul made a promise that was not a good idea?
- What did the people do when they thought Jonathan was going to be hurt, and why was that kind?
- When is a time you felt small, but you still asked God to help you?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Helper Drawing
You will need paper plates, crayons or markers, and tape or glue sticks. Ask each child to draw a picture of Jonathan and his helper climbing the rocks, with God’s hand shown above them in the sky. Let them write one word from the memory verse at the bottom and hang the plates up in the classroom to remind everyone that God helps those who trust Him.
Mighty Tree Movement Game
You will need an open floor space and a timer or a simple counting rhythm. Have the children move slowly like a tree shaking in the wind as you say the memory verse, then freeze and stand tall when you say “God can save.” Repeat the game faster to help the words stick, and end by letting everyone hold a tall, strong pose while they say “Amen.”
Trusting Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen or pencil. Each evening, ask your child to write one thing they felt brave about or one thing they wanted God to help them with, then fold the strip and place it in the jar. On the weekend, open the jar together and thank God for each answer or each moment of courage you remember.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s victories do not depend on the size of the army or the strength of the person, but on His power and on the faith of those who trust Him. Jonathan’s example reminds us to seek God’s guidance before we act, and the story also warns that rash promises can hurt the very people we want to help.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always reward bravery with an easy win, or that doing something unwise means God will punish them. The story is about trusting God in real danger and about His mercy when people make mistakes, so keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on rules about eating or honey.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You can save us no matter how small we feel. Help us to ask You for guidance, to be brave when things are hard, and to tell You the truth about what we have done. Please help us to care for the people around us the way the people in this story cared for Jonathan. We love You. Amen.
