In this lesson, children learn that God chose David to be king because God looks at the heart, not at how someone appears on the outside. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, a Bible reading and a short activity.
Big Idea
God sees what is inside us, and God cares most about a heart that loves and trusts him. People may judge us by how we look, but God knows who we really are.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to point to their own hearts with one finger on the words “heart,” then point up to heaven on “God looks.” Repeat the motion together three times, then ask them to say it while pointing, which helps the words stick.
The Story: 1 Samuel 16 for Kids
God spoke to Samuel, the prophet, and said that Saul was no longer going to be king. God had already picked a new king, and he was a boy named David. God told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Bethlehem to find him. Samuel was worried. “If Saul finds out, he will be angry and might hurt me,” he said. So God gave him a plan: Samuel would bring a young cow and say he had come to offer a sacrifice to God.
When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, the town leaders were nervous. “Have you come in peace?” they asked. Samuel said, “Yes, I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Make yourselves ready and come with me.” Then he invited Jesse and his sons to join him. Jesse had many sons, and Samuel was ready to find God’s choice.
One by one, Jesse’s sons walked past Samuel. The first was tall and strong, and Samuel thought, “Surely this must be the one.” But God said, “Do not look at how he looks, because I have not chosen him. People look at the outside, but I look at the heart.” Son after son came by, and God said no to each one. Samuel even asked, “Are all your sons here?” Jesse said there was still one more, the youngest, who was out in the fields taking care of the sheep.
Someone ran to get David. He was a ruddy, handsome boy who had a kind face. God said, “Get up, Samuel. Pour the oil on him, because this is the one.” Samuel poured the oil over David’s head in front of his brothers. From that day on, God’s Spirit came powerfully upon David, and he began to grow into the person God had planned.
Later, King Saul had trouble with an evil spirit that troubled him. His servants said, “Let us find someone who plays the harp well. Music may help you feel better.” They told Saul about David, and Saul sent for him. David came to the king and played his harp, and Saul felt refreshed and well again, and the troubling spirit left him.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 16:1
The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite; for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.”
(WEB)
Point out that God was the one who started this whole story. He sent Samuel with a plan, and he was already choosing the next king before Samuel even left home. Ask the children what it tells us about God that he knows what is coming.
1 Samuel 16:12-13
12 He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. The LORD said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
(WEB)
Show the children how David was the youngest and was out with the sheep, yet God chose him. Explain that God does not overlook anyone, even the person nobody expected. Remind them that they matter to God no matter their age or size.
1 Samuel 16:23
When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
(WEB)
Point out that David used something he already knew how to do, playing the harp, to help someone who was hurting. Talk about how God can use the skills and gifts children already have to bless other people around them.
Talk About It
- Why do you think everyone else was surprised that God chose David?
- What do people usually notice first about someone, and what does God notice?
- How do you think David felt when Samuel poured oil on him in front of his brothers?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show that you care about what is in someone’s heart?
- When have you felt left out or overlooked, and how can you remember that God sees you?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a heart shape on paper and cut it out, then draw or write on it something that is important inside them, such as a favorite thing to do or a person they love. Hang the hearts on the wall as a reminder that God looks at what is inside.
Hide and Seek with Heart Clues
You will need a few small objects and a room or yard to play in. Hide one object, such as a small stone, and have the children search, but tell them they can only follow clues about what is good inside a person, like “kindness” or “helping.” When they find it, talk about how God’s choice of David was a surprise, just like finding the object.
Take-Home Heart Card
You will need an index card or a sheet of paper and a pen. Have each child copy the memory verse onto the card with a small heart drawn beside it. Encourage them to read it to someone at home during the week and to put the card somewhere they will see it each morning.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God’s ways of choosing people are often different from ours. Human judgment leans toward appearance, strength and status, but God looks at the heart and works through people others may overlook. For adults, it is a reminder to examine our own hearts and to see others the way God does.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God only loves people who look or act a certain way, or that outward appearance is always wrong to notice. The main point is that God knows and values the heart. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and kindness, not on a formula for being chosen.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank you that you see our hearts and know us completely. Help us to care about what is inside people and to love others the way you do. Help us to trust you when we feel small or unnoticed, because you are always with us. Amen.
