The talents of David

SCRIPTURE:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON:

1. Detect the talents of David;

2. Show how David’s talents were useful to the community;

3. Encourage children not to neglect their talent;

4. Detect the hidden talent of David: music.

INTRODUCTION:

Start the lesson with a short song and/or a prayer.

PRESENTATION:

When God had rejected King Saul, He sent Prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to meet Jesse. One after the other, the first seven sons of Jesse passed before the Prophet. But none of them was God’s chosen one, for God does not look at the things people look at. The last son named David was in the farm tending the sheep. Samuel asked for him to be brought. When he arrived, God told Samuel: “Rise and anoint him, he is the one to be king in the place of Saul”. Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. From that day, the spirit of God departed from Saul and came powerfully upon David. Saul was tormented by an evil spirit. To heal him, his servants proposed to bring a man who could play the harp (a musical instrument with strings). David was chosen; he would play the harp and Saul would calm down. Saul liked David very much and made him his armour-bearer.

Meanwhile, onece more the Philistines gathered their army for war. Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the valley of Elah. Goliath moved forward, coming out of the Philistine’s camp. He was a real giant. He challenged the Israelites. “Give me a man and let us fight each other”. Saul and the Israelites were dismayed. They were terrified. Then came David who was bringing food supplies for his elder brothers. David decided to take the challenge and to fight Goliath. Leaving Saul’s armour that was too heavy for him, David took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream and a sling (a weapon for throwing stones made up of a leather pocket held by two straps), he moved towards Goliath. Taking his sling, David slung a stone that struck and sank into the Phil- istine’s forehead. At ones, he fell face down on the ground and David hurriedly took hold of the Philistine’s sword and cut off his head.

Saul became jealous, but his son Jonathan loved David as himself.

Being tormented by evil spirits, Saul, in his madness, wanted to throw a spear at David who was playing the harp. But David eluded him. David was crowned king of Judah at Hebron; he was 30 years old and ruled for 40 years. God blessed David’s endeavours as he delivered Israel from their enemies. He was a great king, the first great king of Israel; a king who was always faithful to God. Poet, musician, religious, he composed the “Psalms” that are admirable prayers.

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. What is the name of the prophet who anointed David as king?

2. What was David’s duty before being chosen by Samuel?

3. Does this duty require a talent?

4. What talent did David exercise when King Saul was sick?

5. What is the name of the Philistine who challenged the Israelites and what happened to him?

6. How did David exercise his talent of shepherd in social life?

7. Do you have any of David’s talents?

ACTIVITIES:

Make a stage play of David’s anointing. Select children who will play the role of Jesse, of Prophet Samuel, and of Jesse’s children.

Draw and colour the confrontation between David and Goliath.

RESOURCE PERSON:

Invite the quarter leader or a village chief or any other person who is able to talk to the children about the responsabilities of a leader.

ACTION TO ENCOURAGE:

Ask the children to make suggestions of various activities that they can carry out in order to look like David.

MEMORY VERSE:

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b).

CLOSING:

Close with a short song and/or a prayer.