This lesson teaches children that God sees who tells the truth and who is faithful, and that David would not take revenge on someone who was honest with him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Parents and volunteer teachers can use the story, the memory verse, and the activities together, or choose the parts that fit the group.
Big Idea
God loves people who tell the truth, and God is the one who makes things right. We can trust Him to take care of what is unfair, so we never need to get even on our own.
Memory Verse
2 Samuel 4:8
They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! The LORD has avenged my lord the king today of Saul, and of his offspring.”
(WEB)
Ask the children to stand and hold both hands up like a messenger carrying news. As they say the verse together, have them lower their hands slowly, one step at a time, like someone walking with a heavy box. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: 2 Samuel 4 for Kids
King Saul had died, and his son Ishbosheth was now the king of Israel. But Ishbosheth was not a strong leader, and many people were worried. Two men named Baanah and Rechab were captains of raiding bands, and they had a plan. They thought that if Ishbosheth were gone, they might get a reward from the new king, David.
One hot afternoon, while Ishbosheth was resting in his house, Baanah and Rechab came in as if they were there to bring in some wheat. They struck Ishbosheth and killed him while he lay on his bed. Then they cut off his head and carried it away through the night, all the way to David in Hebron.
When they arrived, they bowed down and said, “Look, here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy!” They thought David would be happy and give them a big reward. They even said that the LORD had taken revenge for King David against Saul’s family.
But David was not happy at all. He said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has saved me from every trouble, I will not reward someone who kills a righteous man in his own house!” David remembered a man who had come to him with false news about Saul, and David had punished him for it. He would not let these two men go unpunished.
So David commanded his young men to put Baanah and Rechab to death. They cut off their hands and feet and hung them beside the pool in Hebron. But David took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron, showing respect for the king who had died.
Read It Together
2 Samuel 4:1
When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
(WEB)
Point out that when Ishbosheth heard the bad news, his hands became weak and all the Israelites were troubled. Ask the children how they feel when they hear bad news and what they can do to stay calm.
2 Samuel 4:9-10
9 David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10 when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
(WEB)
Show the children that David spoke about the LORD who had saved him from all trouble. Explain that David did not want to be the one who got revenge, because he trusted God to deal with what was right and wrong.
2 Samuel 4:12
David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
(WEB)
Point out that David showed respect even after the enemy was gone, by burying Ishbosheth honorably. Talk about the importance of treating everyone with respect, even when they have been wronged or have wronged us.
Talk About It
- What did Baanah and Rechab do that was wrong, and why do you think they did it?
- How did David show that he trusted God instead of trying to get even?
- Why do you think it is important to tell the truth, even when it is hard?
- What is one way you can show respect to someone who has hurt you or made you sad?
- Where can we go when we feel angry or want to get back at someone?
Activity Ideas
Crown and Crest Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and tape. Have each child draw a simple crown on the paper, then cut it out and decorate it with a word or picture of something good, like honesty or kindness. Tape the ends together so it fits on a head, and let the children take their crowns home as a reminder that God is the true King.
Messenger Run Game
You will need a small object like a folded paper and an open space. Divide the children into two teams and have them stand in lines. The first child in each line carries the paper to the far side of the room and hands it to the next child, who runs to the end and returns it. Afterwards, talk about how the messengers in the story brought real news, and how it is important to carry true news faithfully.
Truth Jar Take-Home
You will need a clean jar or cup, slips of paper, and a pencil. Ask each child to write one way they told the truth or showed kindness this week and drop it into the jar. Encourage families to read the notes together at dinner, celebrating honesty and reminding the children that God sees every good choice they make.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how quickly people can take wrong action when they think it will bring a reward, and how God cares about justice more than personal gain. David’s response shows that God’s people should leave vengeance to Him and act with integrity, even when they have power or are tempted to take matters into their own hands. The chapter also reminds us that God sees what is done in secret.
When teaching children, avoid making the violence seem like something to enjoy or imitate. Keep the focus on the choices people made and on trusting God to do what is right. Do not suggest that children should take the law into their own hands or that God wants them to hurt others, but rather that He is the one who judges.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being fair and true. Help us to tell the truth, to show kindness, and to trust You to make things right. When we feel angry or wronged, help us not to get even but to come to You. Thank You for loving us and watching over us every day. Amen.
