In 1 Samuel 9, God leads a young man named Saul to a surprising meeting, and it teaches children that God knows exactly where we are and how to guide us. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows where we are, and He can guide us even when we are looking for something else.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 9:16
“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”
(WEB)
Ask children to cup their hands like they are holding something carefully, then lift them slowly toward their chests as they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, speeding up a little each time, so the words become easy to say.
The Story: 1 Samuel 9 for Kids
Long ago, there was a man named Kish who lived in the tribe of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, and Saul was tall and strong. Saul was taller than anyone else in all of Israel.
One day, Kish’s donkeys ran away. Kish said to Saul, “Take a servant with you and go find them.” So Saul and his servant walked over hills and through many towns. They looked everywhere, but they could not find the donkeys.
Saul began to worry about his father. He said to his servant, “Let us go home, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” But the servant had an idea. He said, “In this town there is a man of God named Samuel. Everything he says comes true. Maybe he can tell us where to go.”
Saul asked, “What can we give him? Our bread is gone.” The servant had a small piece of silver, so they decided to bring it to Samuel. As they walked up the hill toward the city, they met some girls drawing water from a well. The girls pointed them to Samuel and said, “Hurry, he is just ahead of you!”
Just then, Samuel came walking toward them. God had already told Samuel that a man from Benjamin would arrive that day. When Samuel saw Saul, God whispered, “This is the man.” Samuel said, “Do not worry about your donkeys. They have been found. Come and eat with me.”
The next morning, Samuel told Saul to wait so he could hear a message from God. God had a special plan for Saul, and He had brought him to exactly the right place.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 9:3
The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.”
(WEB)
Point out that Saul was simply doing what his father asked. Ask children what they think Saul expected to find, and remind them that sometimes God’s plans start with ordinary tasks.
1 Samuel 9:20
As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them; for they have been found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father’s house?”
(WEB)
Show children that Samuel gave Saul good news about his lost donkeys and also a bigger promise. Explain that God cares about small worries and big plans at the same time.
1 Samuel 9:27
As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” He went ahead, then Samuel said, “But stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God’s message.”
(WEB)
Point out that Samuel asked Saul to stop and listen before anything else happened. Talk about how we also need to stop, be quiet, and listen when we want to hear God.
Talk About It
- What do you think Saul felt when he could not find the donkeys?
- How did the servant help Saul when he was worried?
- What surprised you most about how Saul found Samuel?
- How do you think God knew Saul was coming to see Samuel?
- What is one time you feel God helped you find what you needed?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Lost-and-Found Map
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple map showing Saul’s path through the hills and towns, marking the place where they meet Samuel with a star. Let children explain their map to the group, pointing out where God led Saul.
Hot and Cold Hide-and-Seek
You will need a small object such as a toy donkey or a small stuffed animal. Hide it somewhere in the room while the children close their eyes. Guide them by saying “warmer” as they get closer and “colder” as they move away, just as God guided Saul toward Samuel. Let each child take a turn hiding it.
Lost-and-Found Picture Frame
You will need a paper plate, yarn, and markers. Have children draw a picture of something they once lost and then found, and tape it to the plate with a short sentence about God’s care. Send it home so families can talk together about how God helps us find what we need.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is active in ordinary life, even in the details of lost animals and long walks. It also shows that God chose Saul for a purpose he did not yet understand, and that He guides people step by step.
Avoid suggesting that God wants to help children find lost toys every time they ask. Instead, focus on the truth that God knows where we are and cares about our worries, while He still answers in His own way and time.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You know exactly where we are, even when we feel lost. Help us trust You to guide us each day, and help us listen when You speak to us. Thank You for loving us and caring about every little worry. Amen.
