David Shows Mercy to the King
(1 Samuel 24)
King Saul was very angry with David. He wanted to catch David and hurt him. Saul took 3,000 of his best soldiers to find David in the wilderness. They searched near the rocks where wild goats climb.
Saul came to some sheep pens beside the road. There was a cave there. Saul went into the cave to rest. He did not know that David and his men were hiding deep inside that same cave. David's men whispered to him, "This is your chance. God said He would give your enemy to you. You can do whatever you want to him."
David crept up quietly behind Saul. He did not hurt the king. Instead, David reached out and cut off a small piece of cloth from Saul's robe. That was all he took. But right away, David felt bad in his heart about what he had done. He told his men, "I should never hurt my master Saul. He is the Lord's chosen king. I will not lift my hand against him."
David stopped his men from attacking Saul. Soon Saul got up and left the cave to continue his journey. David came out of the cave and shouted after him, "My lord the king." Saul looked back. David bowed down low to the ground to show respect.
David held up the piece of cloth and said, "Look at this, my father. I cut off a corner of your robe. I could have killed you, but I spared you. I have not done anything wrong to you. You are hunting me to take my life, but my hand will not touch you. May the Lord judge between us."
King Saul was amazed. He said, "Is that you, David?" Then Saul began to cry. He said, "You are more right than I am. You have done good to me, even though I have done evil to you. Today you showed kindness to me. I know now that you will surely be king. Promise me that you will not kill my family when that happens." David promised Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to their safe place in the rocks.
A Curious Question
Why did David cut off only a corner of Saul's robe when he had the chance to stop all his running and hiding for good?
Jesus Connection
David was a king who had been chosen by God, just like Jesus is the King chosen by God. David showed mercy to his enemy Saul, even when he had the power to hurt him. This points forward to Jesus, who shows mercy to us. While we were still sinners and enemies of God, Jesus did not destroy us. Instead, He gave His own life to save us. In Luke 6:27, Jesus said to love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you, and He did that perfectly on the cross. David's mercy was a small picture of the great mercy we receive through Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
- David's friends said he should kill Saul because God had given him the chance. Why did David choose not to listen to them?
- David felt bad just for cutting Saul's robe, even though Saul was trying to kill him. What does that tell you about David's heart?
- Saul finally admitted that David was going to be king. Why is it sometimes hard to admit when someone else is better than us at something?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- When someone is mean to you, what is your first reaction? Do you want to be mean back? David had a good reason to hurt Saul but chose kindness instead. Ask God to help you show kindness too.
- David listened to his conscience when he felt bad about a small wrong thing. Have you ever felt that little voice inside telling you something was wrong? Listen to it, even for small things.
- David trusted God to be the judge. When someone treats you unfairly, you can tell God about it. You do not have to fix everything yourself. God sees and knows.
Memorize God's Word
Romans 12:19: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
- Do not take revenge shake your head no and cross your arms in front of you.
- my dear friends open your hands out wide as if you are talking to a group of friends.
- but leave room for God's wrath hold your hands out in front of you like you are making space.
- for it is written put your hands together like a book, then open them.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for showing us mercy when we do not deserve it. Help us to be like David and show kindness to others, even when they are not kind to us. Remind us to trust you to be the judge of every situation. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Mercy Robe Reminder
Kids will create a piece of "robe" to help them remember that showing mercy means choosing kindness, even when it is hard.
Materials Checklist:
- Cut a piece of brown paper bag into a shape that looks like a robe or cloak.
- Write "MERCY" on one side with a marker.
- On the other side, draw a small pair of scissors and a piece of cloth.
- Cut a small piece of colorful fabric or paper to represent the piece David cut off.
- Glue that small piece onto the "robe."
- Keep your robe reminder somewhere you can see it to remember that God wants us to show mercy to others.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- For Younger Children: Focus on the difference between David's choice and what his friends wanted him to do. Use simple terms like "good choice" and "bad choice."
- Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the basic robe shapes from the paper bags so the kids can get right to decorating and adding the fabric piece.
- Classroom Management: During discussion, have kids hold up one thumb for David's choice and two thumbs for his friends' choice to keep them engaged.
- For Older Kids: Discuss the concept of "anointed" and what it means to be chosen by God. Connect it to how God chooses people for special purposes today.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why didn't David kill Saul when he had the chance?
- David said Saul was 'the Lord's chosen king,' and he believed it was wrong to harm someone God had anointed, even though Saul was hunting him.
- What did David cut from Saul's robe?
- David quietly cut off a corner of Saul's robe while Saul was resting in the cave, to prove he could have harmed him but chose not to.
- How did Saul react when David showed him the piece of robe?
- Saul was amazed and began to cry. He admitted David was more righteous than he was and said he knew David would surely become king.