This lesson teaches children that God’s people can show kindness and forgiveness, even when someone has hurt them, and that a loving heart is more important than being right. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When someone says they are sorry, God wants us to forgive them and welcome them back, just as King David did.
Memory Verse
2 Samuel 19:14
He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man; so that they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”
(WEB)
Place both hands on your heart, then slowly open them out wide like a welcome. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and let the children copy you until they know it by heart.
The Story: 2 Samuel 19 for Kids
King David had a very sad heart. His son Absalom had tried to take away his kingdom, and now Absalom was dead. David covered his face and cried out loud, “My son Absalom, my son!” His soldiers had won the battle, but nobody felt happy, because their king was so sad.
Joab, one of David’s captains, came to the king with a serious talk. He told David that his brave soldiers had saved his life, but he was acting as if he did not care about them. Joab said, “Please get up and go out and speak kindly to your servants.” So David got up and sat in the city gate, and all the people came to see him.
Now David wanted all the people of Israel and Judah to come back to Jerusalem and be his friends again. He sent a message to the leaders of Judah, saying, “You are my brothers, my own family. Why are you the last to bring me home?” The men of Judah listened, and their hearts turned toward their king.
On the way back, a man named Shimei ran down to meet David. Shimei had said mean and unkind things to David when he was running away. Now Shimei fell down on his face and said, “Please don’t remember what I did wrong. I know I have sinned, and I am sorry.” Some of the men wanted to punish him, but David said, “No one will die today.” He forgave Shimei.
Mephibosheth also came to meet the king. He had not cleaned his feet or his clothes while David was away, because he was sad that David had left. David was kind to him, and an old man named Barzillai was also honored by the king, who gave him a loving goodbye with a kiss and a blessing. David showed love to many people who came to see him that day.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 19:22
David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king over Israel today?”
(WEB)
Point out that David did not want to hurt anyone on this day. Ask the children how David chose to treat people when he could have chosen to be angry, and talk about a time when someone chose to be kind to them.
2 Samuel 19:19-20
19 He said to the king, “Don’t let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
(WEB)
Show the children that Shimei said he was sorry and asked David to forget his wrong. Explain that saying sorry is the first step, and that a humble heart is the kind of heart God loves to see.
2 Samuel 19:33
The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.”
(WEB)
Point out that David invited Barzillai to come along and be cared for. Talk about how the king wanted to thank a faithful friend, and ask the children how they could thank someone who helped them.
Talk About It
- How do you think David felt when Shimei said he was sorry?
- What is one thing you could say to someone to show them you are sorry?
- Why do you think David chose to forgive Shimei instead of punishing him?
- Who is someone in your life who has been kind to you, and how could you thank them?
- What helps you to be kind and forgiving when someone has hurt your feelings?
Activity Ideas
Heart Welcome Card
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large heart on the paper and cut it out. On the inside, they can write or draw a message like “Welcome back, I forgive you” or a picture of someone they want to welcome. Let them take the card home to give to a family member or friend.
Welcome Home Walk
You will need a open space and a few soft items like pillows or stuffed animals. Have one child be the “sad king” sitting in a chair, while the others walk slowly in a line to come and say sorry. The king lifts his head and welcomes each child with a hug or a high five. Switch roles so everyone gets a turn to be the welcoming king.
Forgiveness Jar
You will need a clean jar and small slips of paper. Each child writes or draws one way they can forgive someone this week and places the slip in the jar. Keep the jar in your home or classroom as a reminder to show kindness. Read a few slips together each week and pray for the people named.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that David’s grief and anger over his son can make it hard to see the people who love him. His soldiers had risked their lives, yet he hid his face and wept until Joab called him back to his duty. The chapter also shows the power of humility and reconciliation, as David welcomes back people who had turned against him and offers forgiveness where it was asked for.
With children, avoid overstating that David was perfect or that he always made wise choices. The chapter shows him sad, strong and sometimes forgiving, and it is good to let children see a real king who needed to be reminded of the people who loved him. Keep the focus on God’s call to forgive and show kindness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for loving us even when we make mistakes. Help us to say we are sorry when we hurt someone, and help us to forgive others when they say sorry to us. Teach us to be kind and welcoming, just like King David. Amen.
