In this lesson, children learn that even when people they love act unkindly, God is still in charge and still faithful. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is still good and still in control, even when people we trust let us down. We can run to God and trust Him with our hard days.
Memory Verse
2 Samuel 15:25
The king said to Zadok, “Carry God’s ark back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation…
(WEB)
Put your hand on your heart and then lift both arms slowly up toward the sky, as if you are handing your worries to God. Say the words together as you lift your arms, and do it again each time you say them.
The Story: 2 Samuel 15 for Kids
King David had a son named Absalom, and Absalom was very handsome and very proud. One day Absalom got a fancy chariot with horses and fifty men to run in front of him. He wanted people to think he was important, and he wanted to be king instead of his father.
Absalom stood by the city gate every morning. When people came to see the king for help with their problems, Absalom would talk to them, tell them their problems were good, and say, “I wish I were the judge, so I could help you!” He was tricking the people. He hugged them and kissed them, and soon many people in Israel liked him more than the king.
After many years, Absalom told his father he wanted to go to Hebron to pay a promise he made to God. But Absalom was lying. He secretly sent spies all over Israel, telling people to shout, “Absalom is king!” when they heard the trumpet. Many people believed him, and some of David’s own helpers went over to Absalom’s side.
When David heard the news, he was very sad. He told his servants, “We must run away from the city, or Absalom will hurt us.” So David left Jerusalem with his family and friends. As they walked out, the people cried loudly, and David walked barefoot with his head covered, showing how sad he was.
David asked the priests Zadok and Abiathar to take the special box that held God’s promises back into the city. David said, “If the LORD wants to bring me back, He will. If not, I am ready for whatever God decides.” David trusted God even though he felt scared and sad.
David’s friend Hushai came to help him, and David asked him to go back to the city and pretend to be on Absalom’s side. Hushai would tell the priests everything he heard, so David could know what was happening. David was still leaning on God and on the friends God gave him.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 15:2
Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, “What city are you from?” He said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.”
(WEB)
Point out how Absalom pretended to care about the people while he was really trying to steal the king’s place. Ask children how they can tell when someone is being fake and when someone is being truly kind.
2 Samuel 15:13
A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
(WEB)
Show children that David heard bad news and did not hide it. Explain that when hard news comes, we can bring it honestly to God and to the people who love us.
2 Samuel 15:30
David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
(WEB)
Point out that David cried and walked up the hill with his head covered. Tell children that it is okay to show our sadness, and that God sees us when we feel sad.
Talk About It
- What did Absalom do to make people like him, and how was it not really kind?
- How do you think David felt when he heard that his own son wanted to take his place?
- What did David do when he was scared, and what could you do when you feel scared?
- Why did David trust God even when he did not know what would happen next?
- Who are the helpers in your life that God gives you when things are hard?
Activity Ideas
Crown and Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a crown on one side of the paper and a heart on the other side. On the crown, they write or draw one way people can be fake, and on the heart, they draw one way God is always faithful. Talk about the difference as they color.
Walk Like David Game
Clear a space in the room and lay down a few pillows or blankets as hills to climb. Have children walk slowly from one side to the other with their heads bowed and their arms folded, as David did when he was sad. Then have them stand tall and say, “God is with me,” when they reach the top, showing that God helps us through hard times.
Trust Jar Take-Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a marker. Write the memory verse on a slip of paper, then give each child a few blank slips. Ask them to write or draw one worry on each slip, then put the slips in the jar at home. Each evening, have the family pray and pull one slip out, reminding them that God holds every worry.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that people who seem charming or successful can still act in deep betrayal, and that God’s purposes are not stopped by human schemes. For adults, the passage invites honesty about grief, betrayal, and fear, and it shows David turning to God in prayer, humility, and trust, even while he is not in control of his circumstances.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always fix a problem the way we want, or that trusting God means we will never feel scared or sad. David’s story shows that God is faithful even when the outcome is uncertain, so keep the focus on God’s character rather than on guaranteed results.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are good and You are always in charge. When people we trust let us down, help us run to You like David did. Help us be honest, be brave, and trust You with everything. Amen.
