God Chooses a Surprising King
(1 Samuel 9-10)
There was a man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel, standing head and shoulders above everyone else, the kind of person who looked like a king.
One day, some of Kish's donkeys wandered off. Kish told Saul, "Take a servant and go look for the donkeys." Saul and his servant searched through the hill country and many towns but could not find them. After three days, Saul said, "Let's go back home. My father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys."
But the servant had an idea. "There is a man of God in this town, and everything he says comes true. Let's ask him where to find the donkeys." Saul worried they had no gift for the prophet, but the servant had a small piece of silver to give him. So they went into the town.
As they climbed the hill, they met young women coming out to draw water. "Is the seer here?" Saul asked. "Yes, just ahead," they said. "He has come for a sacrifice at the high place, and the people will not eat until he blesses the food. You can catch him before he goes up to eat."
They entered the town, and just then Samuel the prophet was coming toward them. The day before, God had told Samuel, "At this time tomorrow, I will send you a man from Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people Israel, for he will rescue them from the Philistines." When Samuel saw Saul, God said, "This is the man I told you about. He will rule my people."
Saul approached Samuel and asked where the seer's house was. Samuel answered, "I am the seer. Come eat with me today. Do not worry about your donkeys, for they have been found." Then Samuel said, "You and your family are the focus of all Israel's hopes." Saul was confused. "But I am from the smallest tribe of Israel. Why are you talking like this to me?"
Samuel brought Saul to the dining hall and seated him at the head of the table, honoring him above thirty guests. He told the cook to bring the special piece of meat he had set aside, and Saul ate with Samuel that day.
The next morning, Samuel walked with Saul to the edge of town and sent his servant on ahead. Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil, poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him, saying, "Has not the Lord anointed you to be the ruler over his people?" It was a sign that God had chosen Saul to be Israel's first king.
Samuel gave Saul three signs to show God was with him, and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Saul, changing him into a different person. Later, Samuel gathered all of Israel together. He chose the tribe of Benjamin, then the family of Matri, and Saul was chosen by lot. But when they looked for him, he was hiding among the baggage. They brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above everyone else. Samuel said, "This is the man the Lord has chosen as your king." And the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
A Curious Question
Why do you think God chose a tall, handsome man named Saul to be king, but then later, He chose a young shepherd boy named David instead?
Jesus Connection
Saul looked like a king on the outside, but his heart would not stay faithful to God. The people wanted a king they could see, but God knew they needed a king who would lead them perfectly. Many years later, God sent Jesus, the true King. Jesus did not look like a mighty warrior or a tall ruler. He came as a humble servant. But Jesus has a perfect heart and always does what God wants. He is the King who saves His people from their sins forever (John 18:36-37). Jesus is the King we were all waiting for.
Discussion Questions
- Saul and his servant searched for three days and could not find the donkeys. But God knew exactly where they were. Why does this show us that God is always in control, even in small things?
- Samuel poured oil on Saul's head to show he was chosen by God. How is being chosen by God different from being chosen because you are tall or strong?
- Saul was hiding among the baggage when the people were looking for him. Why do you think he hid, and what does that tell us about how he felt inside?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- Trust God's Plan: Saul did not expect to be chosen as king. Sometimes God has a plan for you that you do not expect. How can you trust Him even when you feel surprised or confused?
- It's Not About Your Looks: Saul was tall and handsome, but God was looking at his heart. When you meet new people, what can you do to see their hearts instead of just their appearance?
- Respond with Humility: When Samuel honored Saul, Saul was humble. He knew he was from a small tribe. How can you be humble when someone gives you a compliment or a special job?
Memorize God's Word
1 Samuel 16:7: "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
- The Lord does not look point both index fingers up toward the sky, then shade your eyes like you are searching for something.
- at the things people look at point to your own eyes with both hands, then sweep your hand out to the side as if looking at a crowd.
- People look at the outward appearance stand up straight and puff out your chest like you are showing off how you look.
- but the Lord looks at the heart put your hand over your chest right where your heart is, then point upward to God.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for choosing people and having a plan for them. Help us to trust your plan for our lives, even when we do not understand it. Teach us to look at the hearts of others, just like you look at ours. We love you, and we want to follow you all our days. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Anointing Oil Flask
Children will create a small clay or paper "flask" to remember how Samuel poured oil on Saul's head to show that God had chosen him.
Materials Checklist:
- Paint your clay pot or toilet paper roll with brown or tan paint to make it look like an old flask.
- Cut a small circle out of the gold or yellow paper.
- Glue the circle onto your flask to look like a drop of oil.
- If you used a toilet paper roll, pinch the bottom closed and glue it to make it flat. Wrap a piece of string around the top to close it.
- On the back of your flask, write "The Lord has chosen you" or 1 Samuel 16:7 to remind you that God looks at the heart.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the story elements they can picture: the lost donkeys, the tall man, and the oil being poured on his head. Use simple hand motions for each part.
For Older Kids: Discuss the difference between being chosen by people and being chosen by God. Talk about how Saul looked like a king on the outside, but what really mattered was his heart. Ask them what they think "a heart for God" means.
Classroom Management: During the craft, keep the discussion going by asking kids what they would do if they were chosen to be king. Remind them that God has a special plan for each of them, just like He had for Saul.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was Saul out looking for donkeys?
- His father Kish's donkeys had wandered off, so Kish sent Saul and a servant to search for them. That search led Saul straight to Samuel the prophet.
- How did Samuel know Saul was the one God had chosen?
- God had told Samuel the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin, and when Samuel saw Saul, God said, 'This is the man I told you about.'
- Why was Saul hiding among the baggage?
- When Samuel called all of Israel together and Saul was chosen by lot to be king, Saul was so overwhelmed that he hid instead of stepping forward.