1
David—
God’s Choice
for King
Week 1 of 6
Reflect on the Word
Read 1 Samuel 16. Have you ever been determined to have things your own
way? For two years I insisted on selling my house and moving. It gets old being
questioned over and over, “Have you sold your house, yet?” And now I have to
serve up humble pie because I finally realized and accepted that God wants me
BIBLE STORY
to wait. And all this time, I had been insisting on having my way.
God Chose a King
Israel insisted on having a king. They chose Saul. Saul was the people’s
1 Samuel 16
choice. And though he was strong, handsome, and charismatic, Saul’s trust in God had failed at the most critical moments.
BIBLE TRUTH
Reflect on this:
He had repeatedly grown impatient, distrustful, choosing to
God chooses people to
do things his way. God’s spirit left Saul, never to return. Saul
• Are you insisting
do His work.
sunk deeper and deeper into depression and paranoia. The
on your own way in
This lesson will help early
Israelites’ choice for a king was clearly not working out.
some area of your
elementary children . . .
life right now?
The writers of the Book of Samuel want us to know:
• Are you willing
• Know God chose David to
David was chosen by God. And even before he was crowned
to consider God’s
be the king of Israel
king, God was at work shaping David into the kind of leader
direction for you
• Realize that their love
who would rule his people as God ruled His people. It’s
even if it seems out
and obedience is more
not surprising, then, that God would choose a shepherd to
of the ordinary?
important to God than
become king. He sent Samuel to anoint David. There was only
what others think of
one problem; Saul was still on the throne and his sons were
them
waiting to ascend the throne.
• Feel encouraged that God has
The youngest son of a common Benjaminite, David was not an obvious
something for them to do for
choice to follow King Saul as ruler of Israel. This is our first glimpse of David.
Him
He is still the little shepherd boy, almost forgotten when the prophet Samuel
calls upon his family. Samuel was not expecting this, for though David was
VERSE-A-MONTH
youthful and handsome, he certainly did not have the lineage or upbringing be“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead
me in a straight path”
fitting a future king. However, we will soon find David possessed characteristics
(Psalm 27:11).
that made him uniquely qualified to slay giants and soothe troubled hearts, to
defeat armies and unite a divided land.
LESSON HELPS
David’s story began with obedience. And David’s obedience is central to the
HELPING HAND
rest of his story. Both the aged prophet and the future king submitted to God’s
Tips for teachers.
decision not knowing what lay ahead. God chose David to rule a nation, but
destined him to be a vessel through which salvation would come to the world.
DIGGING DEEPER
Important biblical and
While none of our children may be chosen to be king or ruler of a nation, their
theological insights.
tender and willing hearts can reflect that of David’s, a man after God’s own
heart.
Foundational words
of the faith.
OLD TESTAMENT Before Jesus Was Born
YO
E
U AR
6
Jeremiah & Baruch
Elijah Fed by Ravens
David and Goliath
E
Samuel Anoints David
Deborah & Barak
10 Commandments
Exodus
Abraham & Sarah
Noah & The Ark
The Creation
H
E R
LESSON PLANNER
See
Hear & Say
Do
Sing
Solve
Read & Write
Choose from these activities to support the Bible story.
n
Attentetrios
Get
“God’s Shepherd King” Bulletin Board
Resources, Item 2
Bible Memory Walk
Resources, Item 4
Optional Activity: Pick a Play Dough
Bible
Explo
rations
Con
n
T ectio
n
oL
ife s
Bible Story – “God Chose a King”
Resources, Item 2
Bible Story Review
Optional Bible Activity: Anointing a King
What Does God Want Me to Do?
Connections, Sheet 1b
Shepherd’s Journal
Connections, Sheet 1
Closing and Prayer
Adventures; Parent Connections; Connections, Sheet 15
Optional Activity: Faith Words
Resources, Item 3
PRE-SESSION POPPERS
NOTES
Verse in Motion
[Bonus ideas for Lesson 1 of unit 1—give Verse-a-Month Club activity, etc.]
To help the children learn the new Verse-a-Month Club memory verse,
teach them these motions to go with the words.
“Teach [hands in open book motion]
Me [point to self]
Your way [palms facing each other, parallel, make river motion]
O [arms create “O” overhead]
Lord [“L” index and thumb, move from right shoulder to waist]
Lead [offer right hand outstretched]
Me [point to self]
In a straight path” [palms facing each other, parallel, move hands
straight out from body]
Psalm 27:11. [open palm]
Time Line
Prepare Resources, Items 1A and 1B as directed on the item. Mount
the time line on a wall in your classroom. Use it each week to help the
children understand how each Bible story is part of God’s story. Use it
also to help them figure out the location of each story in the Bible.
Mission Work
Philip & the Ethiopian
Cross, Tomb & Ascension
Mary Anointing Jesus
Jesus Raising Lazarus
Disciples Praying
After Jesus Went Back To Heaven
When Jesus Was On Earth
Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus’ Baptism
Jesus As A Child
Birth of Jesus
NEW TESTAMENT 7
on
ttenti
rs
Gette
“God’s Shepherd King” Bulletin Board
A
Use these activities to help
focus the children’s attention
and prepare them to learn
today’s Bible Truth.
The transition statement provided at the
end of each Attention
Getters activity is a tool to
lead children to the Bible
Explorations section of the
lesson. You will only use one
transition statement—the
statement connected to the
last activity used before Bible
Explorations.
Use these memory
stones for a variety of
memory activities:
• Hide them around the room
and let students search for
them. When they find the
stones they must arrange
them in the correct order.
• Place all the stones in order
on a table or the floor. Say
the verse together and then
begin removing one stone
at a time while the students
continue to say the verse.
Before class, Prepare Resources, Item 2, as
You’ll need
directed on the item. Cover the bulletin board
• Resources, Item 2
with paper and add a border.
• Bulletin board, paper, border
In class, Let students help assemble the
• Stapler or tacks
bulletin board. Place the title strips and
picture of David on his throne as shown in the
diagram. Keep the punch-out pieces to add each week after the
Bible story. Ask, Do you know the names of any kings from
the Bible? Who do you think this king is? I wonder how he
got to be a king. Let students offer their ideas.
TRANSITION: Say, We will begin to find out about this
man in our Bible story today. Listen carefully and see if
you can figure out who he is.
Bible Memory Walk
Before class, Prepare Resources, Item 4, as directed on the item.
In class, Introduce the new Verse-a-Month Club memory verse, Psalm 27:11.
Show the children where the Book of Psalms is in the Bible. If the children
have their Bibles help them find the correct chapter and verse. Read the verse two
You’ll need
or three times to the students. Hold up the
• Bibles
stones from Item 4 one at a time as you
• Resources, Item 4
• Cardboard or foam board, opt. repeat the verse. Then hand out the stones
• Laminating machine and film or to six different students. Have the students
stand and try to line themselves up in the
clear Con-Tact paper, opt.
correct order. Encourage other students
to help them. Say, This verse asks God to teach us His way and lead us in a
straight path. What do you think that means? Let students share their ideas.
TRANSITION: Say, God shows us in the Bible how to
live for Him. Our verse tells us that He will lead us
in a straight path which means the right path that
will lead us to God. In our Bible story today another
man asks God to lead him as he looks for a special
person. Listen to find out who needed God’s direction and why.
Pick a Play-Doh
Before class, Obtain assorted colors of Play-Doh in jars and switch the lids
so
they do not match the colors in the jars.
Lessonon1
In class, Let the children choose a jar of Playi
You’ll need
Opt
Doh. Have children all open them at the same time. • Assorted colors of
As the children notice the Play-Doh color does not
jars of Play-Doh
match the lid, ask, Is your Play-Doh the color you
thought it would be? What were you expecting? Let
children offer their ideas. Ask, Can we tell what people are like just by looking at them? While we cannot see what is inside someone’s heart or mind,
God can.
If you wish, allow the children to play with the Play-Doh for a few minutes.
TRANSITION: Say, Today we are going to meet someone who looked one
way, but God saw something different.
8
Bible Story
Before class, Make an anointing horn
You’ll need
by rolling construction paper into a cone
• Resources, Item 2, Picture 1
and fastening it with tape or glue. Fill the
• Brown construction paper
“horn” with torn pieces of tissue paper.
or cardstock
In class, Have the children stand in a
•
Tissue
paper confetti
line as if they are Jesse’s sons (at least
• Glue or tape
three sons and David). Walk back and forth
in front of them as you tell the story. Build
suspense during the story by pretending to tip the horn on each of the sons.
When David is anointed in the story, pour confetti over the head of the child
standing there.
Choose from these activities
to help students connect the
Bible Truth to life.
God Chose a King
1 Samuel 16
The people had chosen Saul to be their king. But Saul disobeyed God.
God chose His own king. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king.
Samuel was nervous. King Saul did not know his prophet would be anointing
another king. He would not be pleased. Samuel was afraid Saul would find out
and kill him.
Samuel filled his horn with oil. He chose a young cow to make an offering. When the elders of Bethlehem saw Samuel, they were afraid. He invited
them to the offering. He invited Jesse and seven of his sons. They were strong
young men. Samuel saw Eliab, the oldest son. He thought that surely this man
would be the next king. God said, “No. Samuel, do not choose a man to be
king just because he looks good.”
Samuel shook his head and stepped to the next son, Abinadab (A-bin-adab). Again, Samuel looked carefully into his eyes. Again God said, “No.”
Samuel stopped in front of each son, wondering which one God had chosen.
Surely there was one here among them! Samuel walked up and down looking
over the sons of Jesse. God continued to say, “No, no, no, no, and no.” Was
this everyone?
Samuel turned from the seven sons to ask Jesse, “Are there any more?”
Surprised, Jesse said, “Yes, but he’s the youngest, and he’s tending sheep.”
Samuel knew he needed to see this little shepherd boy, the youngest of
Jesse’s sons.
They brought David to Samuel. God said to Samuel, “Rise and anoint him;
he is the one.” He poured the horn of anointing oil over David’s head. “The
Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” Saul did not know God had
chosen David to take his place as king. Hardly anyone knew this shepherd boy
was destined to be the shepherd of God’s people.
David was called upon to serve under Saul. Saul was deeply troubled and
needed someone to play the harp to help him. David played the harp well. He
was sent to the palace to play music for Saul. David’s music brought peace to
Saul’s troubled heart. God’s shepherd king served the people’s king.
ANOINT: To put oil on someone’s head. Kings, priests,
and prophets were anointed
in the Bible. This act showed
that God had chosen them to
do something special for Him.
GOD’S WORK: Everything that
God does. God’s work is also
anything God asks people
to do.
After the story, Have a child add the sheep from Item 2 to the bulletin
board. Ask, What does this item have to do with our story? (David was a
shepherd and took care of the sheep.) Samuel was looking for God’s chosen
king. Where did they find David? (In the field taking care of sheep)
9
Bible Story Review
You’ll need
• Sheep button
or tiny figure
Before class, Find a sheep button or tiny sheep figure to use for this game.
In class, Have the children stand in a line with their hands, out in front
of them, cupped together like a bowl. Give one child the sheep and have that
child walk along the line putting his or her hands in each pair of hands one by
one. In one pair of hands the child drops the sheep but continues to touch the
others’ hands so no one knows where the sheep is except the giver and receiver.
Then have the child who dropped the sheep call out, “Sheep, sheep, who has
the sheep?” Let each child in the line guess by saying, “[Mary] has the sheep.”
If the guess is correct, [Mary] must answer a question and becomes the next
player. If the guess is incorrect, play continues until the person with the sheep
is identified. When the person with the sheep is found, he or she must answer a
review question to become the next player (giver of the sheep).
Questions:
1. How many sons of Jesse were older than David? (Seven)
2. What was David doing when Samuel asked for him? (Tending sheep)
3. What did Samuel do to show David was chosen by God to be king?
(He anointed David with oil)
4. How did Samuel feel about anointing David? (Nervous)
5. Did David become king right away? (No)
Anointing a King
Before class, Add a drop of rose or lavender essential oil to two tableBackground
spoons
of olive oil. Shake well and store in a small jar or vial.
1
music can be
esson
L
In
class,
Tell the Bible story, “God Chose a King.” When you come to the
helpful for some
ption
part of the story that tells how Samuel anointed David, stop and apply a
O
children. Play harp or
small
dab of oil to the wrist or forehead of each
string music softly in the
You’ll need
child.
Finish
the story then say, Samuel was God’s
background during the Bible
• Olive oil
prophet.
God
told
him
to
go
to
Bethlehem
to
anoint
story or as children work on
•
Rose
or lavender
a new king. David would not officially become the
other activities.
essential oil
king for several more years. However, this anointing
• Small jar or vial
by Samuel, witnessed by the people, signaled the
approval and blessing of God on His chosen king.
What Does God Want Me to Do?
Say, Samuel anointed David
because God told him to. God
• Connections, Sheet 1b chose David to be the next
king of Israel. You will probably not
• Pencils
be asked to become a king but what might God ask
• Crayons
you to do? Let the children share their ideas.
Give each child Sheet 1b. Say, Let’s read the words on this page. Now write
words on the hand that tell what you think God wants you to do. Choose from
the words printed on this page or think of other words. Then color the hand
to match yours.
Ask, How can you show love to God and others this week? Can you do the
things you think God wants you to do? Encourage the children, this week, to try
to do one of the things written on their Connections sheet.
You’ll need
Choose from these activities
to help students connect the
Bible Truth to life.
10
Shepherd’s Journal
Before class, Obtain cardstock to use for journal covers. Have
You’ll need
decorative items, such as ribbon and buttons, available for creating
• Connections, Sheet 1
attractive covers.
• Cardstock
In class, Read 1 Samuel 16:7 to the children. Discuss the mean• Decorative items, markers,
ing of this verse with them. Say, God told Samuel to choose David
ribbon, buttons, etc.
even though he was the youngest and seemed less kingly than
his brothers. But God knew that David was the right person to
be king. God knows what is in our hearts. What does God see in your heart?
Does He see love, obedience, and kindness? Or does He see anger, lying,
and rebellion?
Give each child Sheet 1. Say, Today we are going to begin working on a journal. What does God see in you? Write some words on
your journal page that describe what you think God sees in you.
Are these things pleasing or disappointing to God?
Let children create a cover for their journals using the cardstock
and decorative items. Be sure to collect the journal pages and covers
and clip them together for each child. Save to use again next week.
At the end of this unit each child will create his or her own completed journal for home.
Closing and Prayer
Say, God told Samuel to go and choose another king. Samuel obeyed.
God chose David to be the new king. David obeyed. God still chooses people
today to do His work. God may want to choose you to do something special
for Him. Your love and obedience to God
is more important than what other people
You’ll need
think about you. Keep asking God to teach
• Take-home items for each
child (including Adventures and you what you need to know and to lead
Parent Connections for Unit 1) you in the right path.
Have the children make a line. Go down
• Connections Verse-a-Month
the
line and pray for each child placing your
Club reminder
hand on his or her head. Pray that God will
bless each child and teach that child what he or she needs to know to love and
follow Him. Thank God for what each child is going to do with his or her life.
Hand out Adventures, Unit 1 Parent Connections, and Connections Verse-aMonth Club verse reminder on page 15.
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Before class, Prepare the Faith Words
You’ll need
word
cards for Unit 1 from Resources, Item
• Resources, Item 3
3. Designate one wall space in the classroom
• Construction paper or
as the Faith Words Wall. Create a title from concardstock
struction paper or cardstock for this area. Add
• Marker
new Faith Words word cards as they are used
• Plasti-Tak
in the lessons.
In class, Introduce the Faith Words for this lesson, anoint and God’s work.
Show the word cards and read the definitions to the children. Say, Each unit
will have new Faith Words for us to learn. We will add these Faith Words
to our Faith Words Wall. Use the definitions found in the narrow column of
this lesson to help explain what these words mean. Have the children read the
words and try to give a definition for them. Then let volunteers use each word
in a sentence.
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Faith Words
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