This lesson teaches children that God can take care of them even when people don’t understand what is happening. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a memory verse, and one activity.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people, even when they feel stuck or when things don’t go the way they hoped. We can trust Him to make things right in His time.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 29:6
Then Achish called David, and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords don’t favor you.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, then slowly bring them together and open them up like a book. As they say the verse together, they can clap once on “lord” and then tap their chests on “good.” Repeat it three times, a little faster each time.
The Story: 1 Samuel 29 for Kids
David had been living for a long time with the Philistines, who were enemies of the people of Israel. One day the Philistines gathered their big armies to go to war against Israel. David and his men marched along with King Achish, a Philistine king who had always treated David kindly.
When the other Philistine leaders saw David, they were worried. They said, “Why is this man David here with us? He is the one people sing about, saying he has won so many battles against our people!” They did not want David to fight with them.
King Achish felt bad about it. He told David, “I have found nothing wrong with you. But the other leaders do not trust you, so you must go back home in peace.” David was surprised and asked, “What have I done wrong?” He wanted to keep fighting for the king.
Achish answered him kindly. He said, “You are good in my eyes, like an angel of God. But the other leaders said you cannot come, so please get up early tomorrow and go back to your place.”
So David got up early in the morning with his men. They left and went back toward the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines marched on toward Jezreel to fight. David did not have to fight against his own people that day, even though it was hard to go home without a battle.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.
(WEB)
Point out that the Philistines gathered their armies and the Israelites camped nearby. Explain that a big gathering like this means a lot of people were getting ready for war, so the children can picture how serious things were.
1 Samuel 29:3
Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, “Isn’t this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to today?”
(WEB)
Show the children that Achish spoke well of David and said he had found no fault in him. Explain that David had been faithful and honest, even while living among people who were not on his side.
1 Samuel 29:9-10
9 Achish answered David, “I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God. Notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 Therefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you; and as soon as you are up early in the morning, and have light, depart.”
(WEB)
Point out the words “as an angel of God” and the kind instructions to go in peace. Help the children notice that even when a decision seems unfair, God can still work through people to keep His people safe.
Talk About It
- What did David do when he was told he could not go into the battle, and how do you think you would have felt?
- Why did the other Philistine leaders not want David to fight with them, even though King Achish trusted him?
- Can you think of a time when someone was unfair to you, and what helped you feel calm?
- What are some ways God takes care of us even when we do not understand what is going on?
- How can we show trust in God when things do not turn out the way we wanted?
Activity Ideas
Protect the Sheep Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or colored pencils, and a few cotton balls for texture. Ask each child to draw a simple picture of David walking home with his men, with God watching over them from the sky. Let them glue cotton balls on the clouds or on the sheep if they want. Encourage them to tell you one thing God is protecting them from or helping them with as they draw.
Follow the Leader Walk
Clear a space in your room or outside where children can walk safely. Choose one child to be King Achish and another to be David. Have the “King” give simple directions, such as “walk forward three steps” or “turn and go home in peace.” Let the children follow the directions, then switch roles so everyone has a turn.
Home Trust Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pencil. Ask the children to write or draw one time they felt scared or confused and asked God for help. Fold each strip and place it in the jar. Encourage families to read a few notes together at bedtime and thank God for His care.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God can work through unexpected people and circumstances to protect His people. David is in a painful position, not wanting to fight against Israel, and yet God’s plan keeps him from harm. The chapter reminds us that God is faithful even when we cannot see how He is acting.
Avoid suggesting that children should always get what they want if they just trust God. The story shows God caring for David, but David still experiences disappointment and confusion. Be honest that trusting God does not always mean that everything feels fair or easy.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You that You take care of us even when things feel unfair or confusing. Help us to trust You when we do not understand, and help us to be kind and honest like David. Keep us safe and remind us that You are always with us. Amen.
