This lesson teaches children that God is holy and must be treated with respect, and that He keeps His promises even when people get things wrong. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is holy, so we treat Him with honor. He is in charge even when things seem out of our control, and He is never a lucky accident.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 6:20
The men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God? To whom shall he go up from us?”
(WEB)
Have children stand tall with their hands folded in front of them, then lower their heads slightly while saying the verse together. Ask them to repeat it while bowing a little, showing that God is holy and worthy of respect.
The Story: 1 Samuel 6 for Kids
The Philistines had taken the ark of God from the Israelites, and they kept it in their land for seven months. Things were not going well for them. Sickness and sores spread among the people, and they knew it was not just bad luck.
The Philistine leaders called for their priests and wise men. They asked, “What should we do with the ark of the LORD?” The wise men gave an answer. “Send it back, but do not send it empty. Send a gift to honor the God of Israel.”
So the Philistines made five golden sores and five golden mice, one for each of their five cities. They placed the gifts in a box beside the ark. Then they found two cows that had never pulled a cart before, and they hitched them up. They took the calves away from the cows so the mothers would want to go home.
The cows walked straight down the road toward the land of Israel. They did not turn left or right. They walked all the way to Beth Shemesh, where people were harvesting wheat. When they saw the ark coming, they were glad. They offered the cows as a sacrifice to God right there in the field.
But some people at Beth Shemesh looked inside the ark, even though they were not allowed to. God was holy, and that mattered. Many people died that day, and everyone was sad. The people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand before this holy God?” They sent a message to Kiriath Jearim, asking them to come and take the ark away.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 6:3
They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it empty; but by all means return a trespass offering to him. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.”
(WEB)
Point out that the Philistines knew their trouble came from God and wanted to make things right. Ask children what it means that God’s hand was on them, and let them say what they think without rushing to an answer.
1 Samuel 6:12
The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh. They went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.
(WEB)
Show children how the cows walked straight down the road without turning aside, even though they had no one leading them. Explain that God guided even animals that had never been trained, so nothing could stop His plan.
1 Samuel 6:19
He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the LORD’s ark, he struck fifty thousand seventy of the men. Then the people mourned, because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter.
(WEB)
Explain that this was a serious lesson about respect. Help children see that God’s holiness is something to take seriously, and that the people paid a heavy price for treating it carelessly.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the Philistines wanted to send gifts back with the ark?
- What do you think it means that God is holy?
- How did the cows show us that God was guiding them?
- Why did the people of Beth Shemesh feel afraid after looking into the ark?
- What are some ways we can show respect for God in our own lives?
Activity Ideas
Golden Gifts Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and gold or yellow markers. Ask them to draw the five golden sores and five golden mice the Philistines made. Have them write one way they can honor God on the back of the paper.
Ark Parade Game
Set a small box on a chair to represent the ark. Have children walk slowly in a line around the room, carrying the box with both hands, while walking quietly and calmly. Explain that moving carefully and respectfully shows honor for God’s holiness.
Respect Reminder Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Have them write “God is holy” on one side and draw a picture of something that shows respect on the other. Let them take it home and place it on their nightstand or by the front door as a reminder throughout the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s holiness is serious and that He is not a small or ordinary god who can be handled carelessly. Even when He allows difficult things to happen, He remains sovereign and keeps His purposes. The Philistines recognized God’s power through their troubles, and the cows’ obedience to God’s direction shows that He can guide anything toward His will.
With children, avoid overstating the punishment at Beth Shemesh in a way that frightens them about God’s love. Focus on the truth that God is holy and worthy of respect, and that He loves His people even as He teaches them to honor Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank You that You are holy and worthy of our honor. Help us remember that You are always in charge, even when things feel uncertain. Teach us to respect You in everything we do and say. We love You. Amen.
