David, a conquering king
key words
biblical reference
2 Samuel 5:1-25
lesson objective
To help children understand that God guides those who ask for his direction and are willing to obey
memory verse
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:4, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
David and Saul were in conflict for many years. Even after Saul’s death, his followers continued with the battle. When at last the fight ended, David was named the new king of Israel. The Philistines (enemies of Israel) wanted to take advantage before David became powerful (2 Samuel 5: 1-25).
When David learned of their plans, before making any moves, he asked God for his guidance, and the Philistines were defeated. A year later, they made new plans of attack. But David repeated his strategy - he asked for God’s guidance and God gave him a new plan, which he obeyed, and once again, he came out victorious.
David never feared, or acted hastily. He always sought God’s guidance first. When we face problems in our lives, let us remember David, and do the same thing - ask God for his direction and obey everything that he commands us to do.
At this age, your children begin to seek independence, and do not always accept what their parents tell them. They want to behave according to their own convictions and thoughts. They want to do what they decide, and often experience the failures of their own decisions.
This is the right time for children to know the unconditional love of God and his perfect will for their lives. Keeping in mind that they are learning to read, encourage them to read on their own the corresponding biblical stories so that they will develop their faith as Christians.
introduce the lesson
Introduction
The following exercise can be done in or outside the room or outdoors. (You will need a handkerchief for each pair, to blindfold their eyes.)
Once the group is divided into pairs, one should be blindfolded and the other will instruct him/her behind their back and, without touching them, guide them to the place that you indicate. Example: “Walk five steps forward, turn left, continue walking, etc.” Change the roles of the pairs so that both can participate and, once completed, share the experience they had during the game. Encourage them to explain how they felt when others guided them (fear, insecurity, trust in their partner, etc.).
Explain that many times we go through experiences like these when we obey God’s instructions, but the difference is that we can fully trust in his divine direction.
If possible, draw a picture of the church on the blackboard. Let the children add trees, sidewalks, paths, plants, parking, etc. When completed, give each child instructions to follow, for example, “Go out the front door; Go down the sidewalk to the first tree; Turn left; Now tell me, where are you?”
This activity emphasizes the importance of following the instructions we receive when we need to find a place or something in particular.
teach the lesson
“King Saul is dead!” shouted the people of Judah.
Then, the general of Saul’s army made his son, Ish-Bosheth, king over Israel.
When Saul’s son died, the leaders of Israel came to David and made him king. The people had a new king; but not everyone was happy with the news.
“Now is the time to attack Israel,” Israel’s enemies (the Philistines) said.
A general told his king, “Israel is weak, but David becomes more powerful every day.” So the Philistines all went up to capture him.
Upon learning this, David went down to the fortress in search of a safe and quiet place. He needed time to meditate and pray. He knew he had to make a decision. The question was, what should he do?
And David inquired of the LORD (Yahweh), “Shall I go against the Philistines in battle? Will you deliver them into my hands?” God said to him, “Go, for I’ll surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
The victory was so fast that the Philistines fled without even stopping to get their idols. However, they did not give up, but gathered in the valley of Rephaim to make a new plan of attack.
But David again went to God to ask what he should do. Then, the Lord gave David a secret plan for the war: “Do not go straight up to fight them, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
David did exactly as God commanded. He and his soldiers waited quietly near the trees. And when they heard the noise of their marching, they attacked. (2 Samuel 5)
Ask children to look up 2 Samuel 5:19 and have someone read it aloud. Then ask them:
“What does this passage tell us of David’s secret strategy?”(Review the story and look for the instructions God gave him.)
David knew how important it was to follow God’s direction. For that reason, he consulted Him first.
“In what kind of problems or situations do children need to be guided?” (When they have temptations, problems with their friends or at school.)
Say: “Why do you think it is important for a Christian to seek God’s will?” (Some answers: because he will help us make the right decisions. We believe that he is God and we want to do what he commands us. He knows more than we do, etc.)
Open your Bible to Proverbs 3 and read verses 5-6. Point out that it mentions that sometimes it is difficult to know what God wants us to do, because he does not always speak clearly to us (as he spoke to David). Ask, “How does God guide us today?” (Through reading the Bible, messages from Christian leaders, listening to a worship song, etc.)
Tell the children to talk about the areas of their lives in which they need to be strengthened with God’s direction (among friends, with parents, at school, with siblings, etc.). Write them on the board and let them pray for each other. End by asking God to guide each child and to help them recognize and obey him at all times.
connect the lesson
David’s secret strategy
Say the following: “The Bible mentions David’s secret strategy for being a good king and winning battles. Decrypt the secret message.”
Answers:
• Accept God as your leader.
• Ask for his guidance.
• Follow his guidance.
Remind the children that we serve the same God who led David. We face different challenges than he faced, but in the same way we can seek God’s will and follow his instructions. Give them time to answer the question at the end of the activity.
Say: “When you have to make a difficult decision, how will you decide what to do?” (Tell them to be prepared next week to tell about how they asked God for his guidance, and how he guided them. Remind them that seeking God’s will is not always easy, as shown by the story of David. But God will guide those who follow him.)
A great leader
Ask the children to mention some people who have been great leaders. (The president of the country, athletes, teachers, etc.) Ask, “What did they do to be recognized?” (record their responses)
Explain that in Old Testament times, the people of Israel decided to have a king. God wanted them to trust him because he knew what was best for them. But they wanted a king so that they would be like other nations. And God allowed them to have a king.
“How would you like to be Israel’s leader?” Make a “recipe” of the characteristics of the leader the children would like to have. (Honesty, wisdom, goodness, etc.) Let them write on the “recipe card.” Then, whoever wants to can show their recipe card.
Say: “Today’s story was about David, who God chose as the second king of the united Israel.”
practice the memory verse
Write the memory verse on the board. Then separate the children in the following ways: a group of those who have blue clothes; others who have black shoes; others who have white socks, etc. First, say the text aloud, and then have each of the groups repeat it. This way it will be easy to memorize.
You can continue being a member of the Verse of the Month Club. Cut out the cards in Student Activity Sheet #296 that have the scripture verses printed on them in order to study each verse better. At the end of each month, get a star on the certificate, as long as you have learned the text well and memorized it.
wrap-up
Pray
At the end of the session, pray with the group. Remember to pray for your leaders.
Encourage
Thank your students for their attendance and ask them not to forget what they learned.
Invite
Announce something about the next session to increase the group’s interest. Remind them to welcome new group members.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™