An Outpouring of Respect | 1 Chronicles 11:10-19

LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS

In 1 Chronicles 11:10–19, we read about David’s mighty men. They were warriors who were brave, loyal, and deeply respected their leader. Among them, three stood out by risking their lives to get David water from Bethlehem, even though it was guarded by enemies. David refused to drink it and poured it out to the Lord, showing that he respected God more than his own desires.

This moment teaches us how true respect involves sacrifice and putting others before ourselves. David’s mighty men showed respect by serving, and David showed respect by honoring God. For preschoolers, this story highlights how we can show respect through kind actions, obedience, and putting others first—especially those in authority, like parents and teachers.

OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15–10:30 | Build a Respect Wall Poster

Items Needed

• Respect Bricks Template (1 for Each Kid)
• 11×14 Poster Board (1 for Each Kid)
• Crayons
• Glue Sticks

Give each kid a set of bricks to color and glue the corresponding images of respect to. Then have them glue their bricks to the poster board to create a Respect Bricks Wall. Explain that in today’s Bible story we are going to learn about respect.

BIBLE VERSE GAME 10:30–10:40 | Robot Voice

Items Needed

• Memory Verse Poster
• Robot
• Music

Tape poster to the wall. Play music and pass the robot around. When the music stops, the robot tells them a voice to use to say the memory verse (or just have each of them do it using their best Robot Voice and Robot moves). Help children repeat the verse together using different voices:

• Robot voice – choppy and mechanical
• Giant voice – very deep and slow
• Tiny fairy voice – whisper-soft and magical
• Monster voice – silly and growly

Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right (Proverbs 20:11).

SONG 10:40–10:50

BIBLE STORY 10:50–11:00

• Where is this found in the Bible? 1 Chronicles
• Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Old Testament

David had brave helpers called the “mighty men.” They were strong soldiers who loved and respected David. One day, David said, “I wish I had some water from my hometown.” He didn’t ask anyone to go, but three of his helpers heard him. They were so respectful and loyal, they went through enemy land just to get that water for David.

When David saw what they did, he felt so honored and thankful. Instead of drinking it, he poured it out to God, showing how much he respected both God and the brave men.

Object Lesson:
Show a bottle of water and say, “This might look like just water, but if your friend gave this to you on a very hot day, how would you feel?” Let kids respond. “David’s friends gave him water with love, and David gave it back to God with respect.”

Questions:

• Theological:
  1. Who helped David by getting him water? (His mighty men)
  2. Who did David honor by pouring out the water? (God)
• Life Application:
  1. How can we show respect to others? (Listen, help, obey)
  2. Can you think of someone you can be kind to today? (Parents, friends)

Prayer:
“Dear God, help us show respect like David and his friends. Help us do what is pure and right. Amen.”

BIBLE CRAFT 11:00–11:15 | Water for the King

Items Needed:

• Paper cups with the word “Respect” written on them
• Yarn or ribbon
• Stickers
• Markers
• Hole punch

Kids decorate a paper cup to represent the cup of water brought to David. Punch two holes near the rim and tie yarn to create a handle like a small bucket. Allow them to add stickers or use markers to decorate their cup.

Remind children that David’s friends gave him water because they respected him. This cup reminds us to serve others with love and respect.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: 1 Chronicles 11:10–19 (KJV):

¹⁰ These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.

¹¹ And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.

¹² And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.

¹³ He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.

¹⁴ And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the Lord saved them by a great deliverance.

¹⁵ Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

¹⁶ And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Bethlehem.

¹⁷ And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!

¹⁸ And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the Lord.

¹⁹ And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

OPTIONAL: COLORING PAGE

Download Coloring Page

PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET

Today’s Key Takeaway: Respect Others

What I learned today:
Today we learned about David’s mighty men who respected him by bringing him water. David respected God by giving the water as an offering. We can show respect by helping, listening, and doing what is right.

Questions to Ask Me:

Theological:

1. Who did David honor with the water? (God)
2. What book tells this story? (1 Chronicles)
3. What did David’s men do for him? (Got water)
4. Why didn’t David drink the water? (He gave it to God)
5. Who helps us do what is right? (God)

Life Application:

1. How can we show respect at home? (Listen to parents)
2. What do we do when someone is kind to us? (Say thank you)
3. How can we be like David’s helpers? (Be kind and brave)
4. What does it mean to be pure and right? (Do what God says)
5. Can we respect God too? (Yes, by obeying Him)