In 1 Samuel 30, David learns that when everything seems lost, he can ask God what to do and trust Him to bring back what was taken. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When bad things happen, we can ask God for help and trust Him to bring us through. God never forgets His people, even when they are sad or scared.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
(WEB)
Ask the children to place both hands on their hearts, then slowly lift their arms up high as they say the verse together. Lifting the arms shows that David looked up to God for strength.
The Story: 1 Samuel 30 for Kids
David and his men came home to a town called Ziklag. But when they arrived, they saw smoke rising in the air. Their enemies, the Amalekites, had attacked the town, burned all the houses, and carried away the wives and children.
David’s heart was heavy. He cried with his men until they had no tears left. Some of the men were so upset that they started talking about blaming David and even throwing rocks at him. David was very sad too, but he did not give up. He turned to God for help.
David said to the priest, “Please bring me the ephod.” The ephod was a special holy garment used to ask God questions. David asked God, “Should I chase after these enemies? Will I catch them?” God answered, “Go after them. You will catch them and get everything back.”
David and his six hundred men marched on. When they reached a stream called the brook Besor, two hundred men were too tired to cross. David kept going with four hundred men. Along the way, they found a sick man from Egypt in a field. They gave him food and water, and he began to feel strong again. He told them he had been left behind by the Amalekites. He said, “Will you promise not to hurt me? If you do, I will show you where they are.”
David found the Amalekites spread out, eating and dancing. David’s men attacked them from the evening until the next day. Only four hundred young men escaped on camels. David got back every single thing the enemies had taken, including his two wives, all the children, and all the treasure.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 30:8
David inquired of the LORD, saying, “If I pursue after this troop, will I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue; for you will surely overtake them, and will without fail recover all.”
(WEB)
Point out that David asked God a clear question before he acted. Show the children that we can talk to God about our hard choices, just as David did.
1 Samuel 30:18-19
18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives. 19 There was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither plunder, nor anything that they had taken to them. David brought back all.
(WEB)
Highlight how God helped David get back everything that had been lost. Remind the children that God can restore what seemed gone forever.
1 Samuel 30:23-24
23 Then David said, “Do not do so, my brothers, with that which the LORD has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand. 24 Who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays with the baggage. They shall share alike.”
(WEB)
Point out that David made sure everyone shared equally, including the men who stayed behind. Explain that God wants us to be fair and kind to everyone on our team.
Talk About It
- What was David feeling when he saw that his town had been burned?
- What did David do first when he was sad and scared, and why do you think he did that?
- How did God answer David when he asked Him a question?
- Why do you think David shared the treasure with the men who stayed behind at the stream?
- When have you felt like you lost something important, and how can you talk to God about it?
Activity Ideas
Hands Up Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to trace both hands on the paper and then draw a small picture of something they want to bring to God in prayer inside one of the hands. Let them share their drawing with the class and talk about how God hears every prayer.
Recover the Treasure Game
You will need a few small toys or snacks and a blanket to hide them under. Hide the items around the room while the children close their eyes, then let them search and “recover” as many as they can. Afterward, talk about how David got back everything that was taken, and remind the children that God can help us find what seems lost.
Thank You Card for Home
You will need a sheet of construction paper, glue, and stickers or markers. Have each child fold the paper in half and write or draw one thing they are thankful for on the front. Encourage them to take the card home and give it to a family member as a reminder that God takes care of us in hard times.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that even godly leaders face grief, fear, and conflict, and that David’s first response was to seek the Lord rather than react in anger. Adults can see in David’s example a pattern of asking God for direction, acting in faith, and extending fairness to those who cannot fight alongside them. The passage also shows the Lord keeping His promise to restore what was taken.
When teaching children, avoid promising that God will always return every lost item or person in exactly the way we want. Instead, emphasize that God is faithful and near to us in our losses, even when the outcome is not what we hoped for. Be honest that some hard things in life do not have a simple happy ending.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are with us when we feel sad or scared. Help us to ask You for help when things go wrong, and help us to trust You to take care of us. Teach us to be fair and kind to our friends. Amen.
