LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In 1 Samuel 26:1-25, King Saul is still consumed by jealousy and keeps chasing David, even though David has done nothing to deserve it. Some people from Ziph tell Saul where David is hiding, so Saul takes 3,000 soldiers into the wilderness to hunt him down. David learns where the army has camped and decides to see it for himself. At night he slips into the camp with his nephew Abishai, and they find everyone asleep, including Saul and his commander Abner. The Lord had put the whole camp into a deep sleep.
Abishai urges David to strike, but David refuses. Saul is still the king God anointed, and David trusts God to decide when Saul’s reign ends. Instead, David takes Saul’s spear and water jug and leaves. From a safe distance on a hillside, he calls out to Abner and shows what he took, proving how close he came. Saul admits his wrong again, but David knows Saul’s promises have not lasted, so he returns the spear and goes on his way. The lesson for children is mercy: choosing kindness when we have the power to hurt someone. We can do that because God has first been merciful to us.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Magnet Towers
Items Needed
Kids build towers on their own. Leaders may gently “bump” a tower, then ask the child how it feels to have something bad or mean happen to them for no reason. Explain that sometimes bad things happen to good people for no reason, but we should choose to show mercy to other people.
BIBLE STORY 6:15-6:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (1 Samuel)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament)
Today we are going to hear about a man named David.
David was running away from a king named Saul. King Saul was jealous, and he wanted to find David. Let’s make a grumpy, jealous face like King Saul. [Let kids make grumpy faces]
King Saul got 3,000 soldiers to go looking for David. Let’s march like soldiers! Stomp, stomp, stomp! [March in place for a few seconds] Now sit back down.
The soldiers camped out in the wilderness near David’s hiding place. David heard about it, and he wanted to see the camp. Do you think David was nervous? [Let kids respond] He asked his friend Abishai to come along. Can you say Abishai? [Wait for response]
When it got dark, David and Abishai tiptoed toward the camp. Let’s tiptoe with our fingers on the floor. Shhh, tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe. [Tiptoe fingers] Whisper with me: Shhh, be quiet! [Whisper together]
What do you think they saw? Everyone was asleep! Let’s pretend to sleep and make snoring sounds. Zzzzz! [Let kids snore loudly, then quietly] Even the king was asleep. Even the commander, Abner, was asleep. God had made everyone fall into a deep, deep sleep.
Abishai whispered to David, “Let me hurt the king!” Should David say yes? [Let kids respond: no!] That’s right! David shook his head no. Let’s shake our heads like David. [Shake heads]
David said, “No, Abishai. Saul is the king God chose. God will take care of Saul.” David chose to be kind. That is called mercy. Can you say mercy? [Wait for response] Say it in a big voice! Now in a tiny whisper!
Mercy means being kind even when you could be mean. Let’s show a happy, kind face for mercy. [Let kids make happy faces]
David saw King Saul’s spear stuck in the ground by his head, and a water jug right next to it. David picked up the spear and the jug. Let’s pretend to pick up a spear very, very quietly. [Act out gently grabbing] Pick up the water jug. [Act out] Oh so quiet!
David and Abishai walked up a hill far away from the camp. Let’s climb a hill! Up, up, up! [Pretend to climb] Now put your hands by your mouth like a megaphone.
David called out loudly, Wake up, Abner! [Have kids call it out] Abner woke up. David said, Where is the king’s spear? Where is his water jug? [Have kids hold hands up as if asking] Abner looked and looked, but they were gone!
Make a surprised face! [Let kids make surprised faces] Abner and Saul knew David had been right next to them. David could have hurt the king, but he did not. He showed mercy!
King Saul said he was sorry. David gave back the spear, and he went on his way. God was happy that David chose to be kind and show mercy.
Theological Questions:
- Who gave David and Abishai the chance to sneak into the camp, and who made everyone sleep? (God)
- Is God kind to us even when we make mistakes? (Yes)
Life Application Questions:
- What can you do when someone takes your toy and you want to be mean? (Be kind, tell a grown-up, say a kind word)
- How can you show mercy to your brother, sister, or friend this week? (Share, forgive, help them)
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35
PRAYER 6:35-6:45 p.m.
Transition the kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for kindness and mercy toward their friends and family, and thank God for being merciful to us. Invite kids to name someone they want to be kind to this week, then pray for those people together.
BIBLE STORY GAME 6:45-6:55 | Sleeping King Game
Items Needed:
- Small blanket
- Pillow
- Plastic cup or toy water jug
- Small blindfold or an eye mask
One child lies on the blanket and pretends to be the sleeping king. For preschoolers, have them cover their eyes with hands or an eye mask. Place the cup near the pillow. A leader quietly taps another child to tiptoe over and take the cup. That child places it behind their back and returns to the group. All kids say mercy together, and the “king” sits up and guesses who took it. Give each child a turn if time allows.
BIBLE CRAFT 6:55-7:10 | Rainbow Scratch Paper Hearts
Items Needed
Give each child a heart and wooden stick. Ask them what it feels like to be angry or mad. It feels like our hearts are dark and heavy. Then explain that when we show mercy and give forgiveness to other people, our hearts no longer feel black. They feel full of joy and are colorful. Teach them how to scratch the black off of the hearts to reveal the color hidden.
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 | Quiet Sounds Experiement
Items Needed:
- Bells
- Crinkly paper
- Wooden spoon
- Pillow
- Blanket
Kids and leaders take turns making sounds, then try again with a pillow or blanket covering the object. Ask how quiet David and Abishai had to be to stay unheard.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | 1 Samuel 26 (ESV)
Read the full passage on Bible Gateway.
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:7 (ESV): “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Show Mercy
What I learned today: I learned that David was a brave man who was running away from King Saul. When David had a chance to hurt Saul, he chose to show mercy instead. God is kind and merciful to us, so we can be kind to others too.
Questions to ask me:
Theological Questions
- What is the name of the king who chased David? (King Saul)
- What does mercy mean? (Being kind even when you could be mean)
- Who gave David the chance to sneak into the camp, and who made everyone sleep? (God)
- Why did David choose not to hurt Saul? (Because Saul was God’s chosen king, and David trusted God)
- Is God merciful to us? (Yes, God is kind and forgives us)
Life Application Questions
- Who can you show mercy to this week? (A sibling, friend, classmate, or family member)
- What can you do if someone takes your toy and you feel mad? (Use kind words, ask for help, or forgive them)
- How can you be kind to someone who was not kind to you? (Say something nice, share, or pray for them)
- How do you feel when someone is kind to you instead of mean? (Happy, safe, loved)
- What can you pray for when you feel angry? (Ask God to help me be kind and show mercy)
