In this lesson, children learn that when we do wrong, we can tell God we are sorry, and He helps us make things right. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we do wrong, we can say sorry to God, and He will help us fix what we broke. God cares about being sorry and making things right.
Memory Verse
2 Samuel 24:10
David’s heart struck him after he had counted the people. David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in that which I have done. But now, the LORD, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.”
(WEB)
Teach children to put both hands on their chest, then slowly lift their hands up toward the ceiling as they say the words “I have sinned.” Repeat it together three times so the motion helps them remember.
The Story: 2 Samuel 24 for Kids
King David had a large army, and he wanted to know exactly how many men he had. He told his army captain, Joab, to go all through the land and count every person. Joab didn’t think it was a good idea, but the king insisted, so Joab and the captains went out to do the counting.
After many months, they came back with the numbers. There were a lot of brave soldiers in Israel. But David’s heart began to hurt. He had trusted in how many soldiers he had, instead of trusting in God. So David prayed, “I have done a very foolish thing. Please forgive me.”
God sent a prophet named Gad to David the next morning. Gad told David that he could choose one of three punishments. David could have seven years of hunger, three months of running from his enemies, or three days of sickness in the land. David said, “I am in distress. Let us fall into the LORD’s hand, for His mercy is great.”
Because of the sickness that came, many people died. But when the angel reached Jerusalem, God told him to stop. God showed mercy and held back the punishment. The angel was standing by the threshing floor of a man named Araunah.
God told David to build an altar on that very spot. David went to Araunah, who offered to give him the land for free. But David said, “No, I will pay for it, because I will not offer something to God that costs me nothing.” He paid fifty pieces of silver.
David built an altar there and gave burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. Then God healed the land, and the sickness stopped. God showed that He forgives people who say sorry and turn back to Him.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 24:14
David said to Gad, “I am in distress. Let us fall now into the LORD’s hand; for his mercies are great. Let me not fall into man’s hand.”
(WEB)
Point out that David didn’t try to hide from God or blame someone else. He trusted that God’s mercy is great. Ask children what it means to trust God when we are in trouble.
2 Samuel 24:17
David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who struck the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done perversely; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me, and against my father’s house.”
(WEB)
Show how David took responsibility for his own sin. He said, “I have sinned,” and asked God to punish him instead of the people. Explain that this shows a heart that wants to make things right.
2 Samuel 24:24
The king said to Araunah, “No; but I will most certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
(WEB)
Point out that David refused to take something for free when he could pay for it. He wanted his offering to cost him something because it showed how much he loved and respected God.
Talk About It
- What did David do when he realized he had made a mistake?
- Why do you think David trusted God more than the army?
- What is one thing you can say to God when you have done something wrong?
- Why do you think God showed mercy to the people even after they were punished?
- How can you show God that you are sorry and want to make things right?
Activity Ideas
Repentance Heart Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large heart and write or draw one thing they are sorry for. Then have them cut out the heart and glue it onto a sheet of paper, then add a small sentence asking God for forgiveness.
Stand Tall or Bow Down Game
Call out “Stand tall” for pride and “Bow down” for humility. Children stand up straight when they hear “Stand tall” and bow their heads when they hear “Bow down.” Explain that David bowed down before God when he admitted his sin.
Forgiveness Card Take-Home
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Ask them to write “God forgives me” on the front and draw a simple altar on the back. Encourage them to place the card on their nightstand as a reminder to talk to God when they make a mistake.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that sin has real consequences, but it also shows that God is merciful toward those who humble themselves. David’s counting of the army revealed a heart that trusted in human strength rather than in God. The altar built on Araunah’s threshing floor later became the site associated with the Temple in Jerusalem, pointing to God’s ongoing presence with His people.
Avoid overstating to children that every sickness or hardship is a direct punishment for a specific sin, since the Bible does not teach that about every situation. Keep the focus on David’s honest repentance, God’s mercy, and the importance of giving God our best.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we are sorry for the wrong things we have done. Thank you that you are merciful and ready to forgive us when we ask. Help us to trust you every day and to make things right when we make mistakes. Amen.
