David Becomes King: Ages 3-5
LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In 1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-19, we see Israel change leaders. King Saul and his sons, including David’s close friend Jonathan, die in battle against the Philistines. David grieves, but God had already chosen him as the next king. After years of waiting and a civil war, all the tribes of Israel come to David and anoint him king. David waited for God’s timing instead of grabbing the throne by force, and the people respected him for it.
Then David’s popularity gets tested. He wants to bring the ark of the covenant, the sign of God’s presence, to Jerusalem. The first time, the people celebrate loudly, but they carry the ark on a new cart instead of on poles carried by the priests, which is not what God commanded. When the oxen stumble, Uzzah touches the ark and dies. David is shaken, and the ark waits three months. The second time, David follows God’s instructions exactly, and the ark arrives in Jerusalem with joy and dancing.
For preschoolers, the heart of the lesson is God is holy, God’s way is the right way, and obeying Him is what makes Him happy, even when it is not the popular or easy thing to do.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Gold Treasure Sensory Bin
Items Needed:
- Large tub
- Kinetic Sand
- Plastic gold coins, gold jewelry, or plastic jewels
- Scoops
Kids dig and scoop to find treasure in the bin. Leaders remind them that David had a kingdom full of treasure, but the best treasure is obeying God.
BIBLE STORY 6:15-6:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (2 Samuel)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament)
Today’s story is about a man named David. David was a shepherd boy, and now he was going to be a king.
Before David was king, there was another king named Saul. Saul stopped obeying God. Then Saul and his son Jonathan died in a battle. David was sad because he loved his friend Jonathan.
Can you name friends you love a whole lot?
God had picked David to be the next king, but David waited for God’s timing. Can you wait quietly? Put your finger on your lips. Shhh. Let’s see who can wait and be the quietest the longest [Wait a few seconds] Good waiting!
When God’s timing was right, the people of Israel said, David will be our king. Can you say, “Let David be our king.”? [Let kids respond]
David wanted to bring a very special box to his city. It was called the ark. The ark showed that God was with His people. Can you say ark? [Let kids respond] Let’s draw a big box in the air with our hands. [Kids draw a box in the air]
Now, God had given a rule about the ark. The ark had to be carried with two long poles. Only the priests could carry it, and nobody was allowed to touch the ark. Can you show me your hands? Put them behind your back! No touching! [Kids put hands behind backs]
But David and the people were so excited that they forgot God’s rule. They put the ark on a cart instead or carrying it on ples. Was that God’s way? [Wait for response: No!] Let’s shake our heads and say, No, no, no! [Let kids respond]
The cart rolled along. The people sang and played music. Can you pretend to play a trumpet? [Kids pretend to play trumpets] Can you shake a pretend tambourine? [Kids shake tambourines]
Then the oxen pulling the cart stumbled. Wobble, wobble, wobble! Can you wobble like the cart? [Kids wobble their bodies]
A man named Uzzah reached out and touched the ark. But God had said, do not touch the ark. Uzzah died. That was sad, and everybody was scared. God is holy, and His rules are important.
David was a little scared, too. He took a break and waited for three months. Can you hold up three fingers? [Kids hold up three fingers] One, two, three months.
Then David learned the right way. Do you know what the right way was? David said, This time we will do it God’s way! Can you say that with me? “Do it God’s way.” [Let kids repeat it]
This time the priests carried the ark with the poles on their shoulders. The people shouted and blew trumpets, and David danced for joy! Can you dance for David? [Let kids dance for a few seconds] Now freeze! [Kids freeze] Good job!
When we obey God, God is happy, and we are happy too. Can you say, I will obey God? [Let kids respond] Let’s say it one more time, nice and loud! [Let kids respond]
Theological Questions:
- Who did God want us to obey? (God)
- What did David do the second time? (He carried the ark God’s way, with the poles)
Life Application Questions:
- What is one way you can obey your mom or dad this week?
- What can you do when you want to do something that is not God’s way?
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35
PRAYER 6:35-6:45 p.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Have them sit in a circle with hands folded. Pray for hearts that want to obey God, and for help to listen to and follow the instructions of parents, teachers, and leaders. Invite kids to say, “Help me obey, God,”.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:45-6:55 | Simon Says
Items Needed: None
The leader gives actions starting with Simon says, such as Simon says clap your hands or Simon says march. Kids only follow instructions that start with Simon says. If they do something and it didn’t start with “Simon says…” then they are out and have to sit down. Remind kids that in our story God says it is important to follow the rules and obey them. Our rule for this game is to only do something when we hear the words “Simon says…”
- Simon says clap your hands.
- Simon says touch your toes.
- Simon says jump up and down.
- Pat your head. (IF THEY PAT, THEY ARE OUT)
- Simon says turn around in a circle.
- Simon says sit down.
- Simon says stand up tall.
- Simon says wiggle your fingers.
- Stomp your feet (IF THEY STOMP, THEY ARE OUT)
- Simon says wave hello.
- Simon says put on your pretend crown.
- Simon says make a happy king face.
- Simon says make a sad face.
- Simon says make a surprised face.
- Put your hands behind your back (IF THEY DO, THEY ARE OUT)
- Simon says play your pretend trumpet.
- Simon says shake your pretend tambourine.
- Simon says dance like King David.
- Simon says hold up three fingers.
- Give a big cheer for King David (IF THEY CHEER, THEY ARE OUT)
- Simon says high-five a friend.
- Simon says fold your hands to pray.
- Simon says tiptoe quietly.
- Simon says whisper, Obey God.
- Shout, Obey God! (IF THEY SHOUT, THEY ARE OUT)
BIBLE CRAFT 6:55-7:10 | Dancing Tambourine
Items Needed:
- Two paper plates per child
- Dried beans or jingle bells
- Stapler (leader use)
- Stickers
- Crayons
Kids decorate two paper plates. A leader staples them together around the edge with a few beans or jingle bells inside. Kids shake their tambourines to remember how David danced when he obeyed God.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10-7:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat while they watch the Bible story video.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Dance Like David Danced
Have kids use their tambourines from the craft to dance around the room while playing the video.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 2 Samuel 6:1-19 (ESV)
- 1 Samuel 31:1-6: Saul and his sons die at Mount Gilboa.
- 2 Samuel 5:1-5: The tribes of Israel anoint David as king at Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 6:1-19: The ark is moved, Uzzah dies, and David brings the ark to Jerusalem with rejoicing.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Obey God
What I learned today: Today I learned that David became king of Israel and wanted to bring the ark to Jerusalem. The first time, the people did not follow God’s instructions for carrying the ark, and it did not go well. The second time, David obeyed God and carried the ark the right way, and everyone rejoiced.
Questions to ask me:
Theological Questions
- Who did David become after Saul died? (The king of Israel)
- What was the ark of the covenant? (A special box that showed God was with His people)
- How did God say the ark should be carried? (On poles carried by the priests)
- Why did Uzzah get in trouble? (He touched the ark, and God had said no one should touch it)
- What did David do the second time he moved the ark? (He obeyed and carried it God’s way)
Life Application Questions
- What is one rule you obeyed today? (Answers will vary, such as listening to a teacher or sharing)
- How do you feel when you obey God? (Happy, safe, or good)
- Who helps you learn how to obey God? (Parents, teachers, and the Bible)
- What can you do when you want to do something that is not God’s way? (Stop, pray, and ask God for help to obey)
- Can you show me how David danced? (Dance and celebrate that obeying God makes us happy)
