David Shows Mercy to the King
(1 Samuel 26)
The men from Ziph came to King Saul at Gibeah with news. "David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah," they told him. Saul wasted no time. He gathered three thousand of his best soldiers and marched into the wilderness of Ziph to hunt for David. The king set up camp beside the road on the hill of Hachilah, not far from where David was staying.
David knew Saul had come after him. He sent spies to confirm it. Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, "Who will go down with me into Saul's camp?" Abishai answered, "I will go with you." That night, David and Abishai crept into the enemy camp. Everyone was asleep. God had sent a deep sleep over the whole army. There was Saul, lying on the ground inside the circle of soldiers. His spear was stuck in the ground right near his head, and his water jug was close by. Abner, the army commander, and the rest of the soldiers slept all around the king.
Abishai whispered to David, "God has given your enemy into your hand this day! Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear. I won't need to strike him twice." It seemed like the perfect chance. But David stopped him. "Do not destroy him," David said. "No one can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless. The Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed." Instead, David took the spear and the water jug from near Saul's head, and the two men slipped away without anyone waking up.
David climbed to the top of a hill far across from the camp. Then he shouted to the soldiers and to Abner, "Will you not answer me, Abner?" Abner called back, "Who are you who calls to the king?" David replied, "Why did you not guard your lord the king? Look around. Where are the king's spear and the water jug that were near his head?" Then Saul recognized David's voice. "Is that your voice, my son David?" the king asked. David answered, "Yes, my lord the king. Why does my lord pursue his servant? What have I done? The king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains." Saul was ashamed. "I have sinned," he said. "Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again. I have acted like a fool and made a great mistake."
David returned the king's spear and went on his way. Saul went back to his place. Once again, David chose to trust God rather than take matters into his own hands.
A Curious Question
Why do you think David would not take the spear and strike the sleeping king, even though God had given him the chance and Saul had been chasing him for years?
Jesus Connection
David chose mercy over revenge because he respected God's authority. He would not harm the king God had chosen, even when he could have. David trusted God to be the judge. In the same way, Jesus showed mercy to those who wronged Him. Jesus could have called down angels to rescue Him on the cross, but He chose to suffer and die instead. In Romans 5, we learn that while we were still enemies of God, Christ died for us. Jesus did not take revenge. He gave His life to save us. David's mercy toward Saul points forward to the perfect mercy we receive through Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean that Saul was the "Lord's anointed"? Why did David respect that title so much?
- Have you ever had the chance to get back at someone who hurt you? What did you do?
- David compared himself to a "flea" or a "partridge." What do those word pictures tell you about how David felt? How does it show his trust in God?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- When someone hurts you, remember David's choice. Ask God to help you show mercy instead of getting even.
- Think about someone in your life who treats you like an enemy. What is one small way you can show them kindness this week?
- Talk to a parent or teacher about what it means to trust God to be the judge, just like David trusted God to deal with Saul.
Memorize God's Word
1 Samuel 26:23: "The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness."
- The Lord rewards hold one hand out in front of you like you are receiving a gift.
- every man point to the people around you, then point to yourself.
- for his righteousness place one hand over your heart and tap your chest twice.
- and his faithfulness make a walking motion with two fingers to show steady steps.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for showing us mercy even when we do wrong. Help us to be like David and trust you to be the judge. Give us patient hearts when people are unkind to us, and fill us with your love. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Spear and Water Jug Memory Craft
Kids will make a simple 3D scene from the story, complete with a spear, a water jug, and a sleeping soldier to help them remember that David chose mercy.
Materials Checklist:
- Cut a spear shape from brown cardstock and glue it to a popsicle stick to make it sturdy.
- Cut a small jug or jar shape from blue paper and glue it near the spear on a piece of cardstock "ground."
- Cut a simple sleeping figure from tan paper and glue it nearby to represent King Saul.
- Write the memory verse from 1 Samuel 26:23 on the top or back of your scene.
- Use your craft to tell the story to your family.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the concrete objects in the story like the spear, the water jug, and the sleeping king. Let them hold a toy sword or spear to act out the moment when David shows mercy. Keep the discussion simple and centered on kindness.
Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the spear and jug shapes before class. Place a glue stick, scissors, and the craft materials in individual baggies so distribution is quick.
Classroom Management: When you get to the part of the story where Abishai wants to hurt Saul, pause and ask the kids what they think David will do. This builds suspense and gives them a chance to engage.
For Older Kids: Dig deeper into the meaning of the word "anointed." Explain how David saw Saul as God's chosen king and would not take God's job of judging into his own hands. Ask them how it can be hard to wait for God to make things right.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did David spare King Saul a second time?
- David respected that Saul was the Lord's anointed king. He believed it was not his place to harm the king God had chosen, so he trusted God to deal with Saul instead of taking revenge himself.
- What did David take from Saul's camp?
- While Saul and his men were asleep, David and Abishai crept into the camp and took Saul's spear and water jug as proof that they had been close enough to kill him but chose not to.
- What does it mean that Saul was the Lord's anointed?
- Being anointed meant Saul had been chosen and set apart by God to be king. David honored that calling even though Saul was hunting him, trusting God alone to judge Saul's actions.