The Biggest Story Curriculum
The Rise and Fall of King Saul
BEFORE THE LESSON
Read 1 Samuel 8:1–9:2; 15:1–35 .
Pray for God’s help. Ask for the Spirit’s help in understanding the passage and for the Lord to open the children’s eyes to see who he is, what he has done, and how they should respond to him.
Study the lesson plan below. Use these sections as suggestions. Think of ways to teach it in your own voice.
Pray for God’s help. Ask for the Spirit’s help in understanding the passage and for the Lord to open the children’s eyes to see who he is, what he has done, and how they should respond to him.
Study the lesson plan below. Use these sections as suggestions. Think of ways to teach it in your own voice.
The Big Picture
Help children see how this story connects with the other lessons. Build anticipation by introducing the setting and the significance of what is about to happen in this week’s story. {5 minutes}
Way back in Genesis, God promised that he would send a king to destroy evil and bless the nations. The king would come from the line of Judah (and he would be the lion of Judah!). Jesus was this lion king from Judah’s line. But before we get to King Jesus, we start with King Saul. Saul wasn’t a great king, because he wasn’t always a good man. And he wasn’t who God had in mind when he thought of the right king for Israel. This is why, when Israel demanded a king, the Lord said, “They have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7). They wanted a king that was just like all the other nations: a powerful man who was like a god, someone who would rule them in his own strength. They wanted a great king instead of our great God! Well, God gave them what they wanted. Let’s see what happens, and let’s see how God brings about his good plan even through Israel’s bad decision.
Way back in Genesis, God promised that he would send a king to destroy evil and bless the nations. The king would come from the line of Judah (and he would be the lion of Judah!). Jesus was this lion king from Judah’s line. But before we get to King Jesus, we start with King Saul. Saul wasn’t a great king, because he wasn’t always a good man. And he wasn’t who God had in mind when he thought of the right king for Israel. This is why, when Israel demanded a king, the Lord said, “They have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7). They wanted a king that was just like all the other nations: a powerful man who was like a god, someone who would rule them in his own strength. They wanted a great king instead of our great God! Well, God gave them what they wanted. Let’s see what happens, and let’s see how God brings about his good plan even through Israel’s bad decision.
Teach The Story
Video: The Rise and Fall of King Saul: The Story of Israel's First King (1 Samuel 8-15)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1eJzmoHmog
“Give us a king!” the people told Samuel. “You’re too old. Your two sons are too wicked. Appoint a king to rule over us just like all the other nations!” (see 1 Sam. 8:5). Samuel felt rejected. He also thought a king was a bad idea. So he brought the matter to God in prayer. (Always a good thing to do!) “They have not rejected you,” God said, “but me from being their king. Go and warn them that having a king like the nations is a bad idea” (see 8:7–9). Samuel warned them that having a king would cost them, but the people wouldn’t listen. They “refused to obey” Samuel, and they said to him: “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go before us and fight our battles” (8:19–20). God gave them what they wanted. He picked a king whom the people would have picked. Saul was a “handsome young man” and “he was taller” than anyone in all of Israel (9:2). He was also a strong warrior. Samuel poured oil over Saul’s head, and said, “The Lord anoints you king. You will rule over my people and save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies” (see 10:1). For a time, that is exactly what happened. Saul led Israel’s army and they defeated their enemies. Israel was so happy. “Long live the king!” (10:24), they shouted. God promised them that if they followed his good commandments, then ev erything would go well with them. But if they disobeyed, “the hand of the Lord” would “be against” them and their king (12:15). Well, it didn’t take long for tall Saul to break a big rule. After a victory, he offered sacrifices to God. He was only a king, not a priest! He wasn’t supposed to do this, but he gave in to what the people wanted. Samuel said to him, “What have you done? You have done fool ishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God” (13:11, 13). Sadly, this was not the only time Saul obeyed the voice of the crowd instead of obeying the voice of God. And because he “rejected the word of the Lord” over and over, the Lord finally “rejected” him “from being king over Israel” (15:26).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1eJzmoHmog
“Give us a king!” the people told Samuel. “You’re too old. Your two sons are too wicked. Appoint a king to rule over us just like all the other nations!” (see 1 Sam. 8:5). Samuel felt rejected. He also thought a king was a bad idea. So he brought the matter to God in prayer. (Always a good thing to do!) “They have not rejected you,” God said, “but me from being their king. Go and warn them that having a king like the nations is a bad idea” (see 8:7–9). Samuel warned them that having a king would cost them, but the people wouldn’t listen. They “refused to obey” Samuel, and they said to him: “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go before us and fight our battles” (8:19–20). God gave them what they wanted. He picked a king whom the people would have picked. Saul was a “handsome young man” and “he was taller” than anyone in all of Israel (9:2). He was also a strong warrior. Samuel poured oil over Saul’s head, and said, “The Lord anoints you king. You will rule over my people and save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies” (see 10:1). For a time, that is exactly what happened. Saul led Israel’s army and they defeated their enemies. Israel was so happy. “Long live the king!” (10:24), they shouted. God promised them that if they followed his good commandments, then ev erything would go well with them. But if they disobeyed, “the hand of the Lord” would “be against” them and their king (12:15). Well, it didn’t take long for tall Saul to break a big rule. After a victory, he offered sacrifices to God. He was only a king, not a priest! He wasn’t supposed to do this, but he gave in to what the people wanted. Samuel said to him, “What have you done? You have done fool ishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God” (13:11, 13). Sadly, this was not the only time Saul obeyed the voice of the crowd instead of obeying the voice of God. And because he “rejected the word of the Lord” over and over, the Lord finally “rejected” him “from being king over Israel” (15:26).
Gospel Connection
Show how the story points to Jesus and his rescue mission as the Snake Crusher. {5 minutes}
Israel rejected God as their King and wanted a human king for the wrong rea sons, which led to all sorts of trouble. Their bad choice would be bad for them, but their bad choice would not stop God’s perfect plan. He would still establish his forever kingdom through his Son, Jesus—the perfect King! This is how God works throughout history. His purpose is such that rebellious acts bring about his good. This is the story of the cross, isn’t it? Jesus is born as the King of the Jews, but his own people, the Jews, reject him. They mock him and crucify him. But that rejection brings about God’s good plan. Jesus dies and the Snake Crusher is crushed. Jesus dies and rebellious sinners are forgiven. Jesus dies and new life comes to spiritually dead people. Jesus dies and he is crowned King: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:9–11). Only God could plan something as good as Jesus’s reign through something as bad as Jesus’s death.
Israel rejected God as their King and wanted a human king for the wrong rea sons, which led to all sorts of trouble. Their bad choice would be bad for them, but their bad choice would not stop God’s perfect plan. He would still establish his forever kingdom through his Son, Jesus—the perfect King! This is how God works throughout history. His purpose is such that rebellious acts bring about his good. This is the story of the cross, isn’t it? Jesus is born as the King of the Jews, but his own people, the Jews, reject him. They mock him and crucify him. But that rejection brings about God’s good plan. Jesus dies and the Snake Crusher is crushed. Jesus dies and rebellious sinners are forgiven. Jesus dies and new life comes to spiritually dead people. Jesus dies and he is crowned King: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:9–11). Only God could plan something as good as Jesus’s reign through something as bad as Jesus’s death.
Discuss The Story
1. Question: Why did the Israelites want a king other than God? Why was this a bad decision?
Takeaway: Our good God is the only king we need.
2. Question: How did Saul disobey God’s good rules? Whom was Saul trying to please with his choices? What are some ways we might feel tempted to please others instead of God?
Takeaway: We should obey God’s good rules because pleasing God is always more important than pleasing people.
3. Question: When the Israelites and Saul both rejected God and his rules, did that stop God’s good plan? When the Jews rejected Jesus as King and crucified him, did that stop God’s good plan?
Takeaway: Even when people reject God’s rule, it cannot stop God’s good plan.
Memory Verse:
I will raise up your offspring after you, ...and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 2 SAMUEL 7:12–13
Takeaway: Our good God is the only king we need.
2. Question: How did Saul disobey God’s good rules? Whom was Saul trying to please with his choices? What are some ways we might feel tempted to please others instead of God?
Takeaway: We should obey God’s good rules because pleasing God is always more important than pleasing people.
3. Question: When the Israelites and Saul both rejected God and his rules, did that stop God’s good plan? When the Jews rejected Jesus as King and crucified him, did that stop God’s good plan?
Takeaway: Even when people reject God’s rule, it cannot stop God’s good plan.
Memory Verse:
I will raise up your offspring after you, ...and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 2 SAMUEL 7:12–13
Activity Or Craft
Option 1 (Activity):
"Choose a King Game"
"Supply List: paper or play crown
Before Class: Prepare the space and gather supplies
Have children sit in a circle. One person is Samuel and holds a paper crown. Samuel walks around the circle and puts the crown on someone’s head to choose a king. The crowned child then gets up and tries to tag Samuel before he or she gets around the circle to the spot where he or she had been sitting. If tagged, the old Samuel sits in the middle of the circle. If not tagged, that child can be part of the circle. The crowned child becomes the new Samuel and gets to walk around the circle and choose a new person to be king. If your group is large, break off into two groups to give more people an opportunity to play. Place a limit on the number of times one person can be chosen.
Option 2 (Activity):
"Going on a King Hunt"
Supply List: a printed picture of King Saul
Before Class: Print out a picture of King Saul. Hide the picture somewhere in the room.
Like the Israelites who wanted a king and wouldn’t stop until they got one, the children will go on a king hunt. Tell the children when you say “Go!” that the f irst person to find the king wins. The child who finds King Saul can then hide him in a different place in the room for the others to find. Continue to give other children the opportunity to hide King Saul.
Option 1 (Craft):
"Paper Crown"
Supply List: cardstock, scissors, tape, markers, jewels, sequins, glue
Before Class: Gather supplies. Draw a zigzag line down the center of the cardstock (length wise, one per child). Make a sample craft.
Place scissors, tape, markers, jewels, sequins, and glue on tables. Give the chil dren each one piece of cardstock. Have them cut along the zigzag line. Have children decorate the pieces of the crown with markers, jewels, and sequins as desired. Have children tape the two pieces together to form a crown. Remind children that God is our King.
"Choose a King Game"
"Supply List: paper or play crown
Before Class: Prepare the space and gather supplies
Have children sit in a circle. One person is Samuel and holds a paper crown. Samuel walks around the circle and puts the crown on someone’s head to choose a king. The crowned child then gets up and tries to tag Samuel before he or she gets around the circle to the spot where he or she had been sitting. If tagged, the old Samuel sits in the middle of the circle. If not tagged, that child can be part of the circle. The crowned child becomes the new Samuel and gets to walk around the circle and choose a new person to be king. If your group is large, break off into two groups to give more people an opportunity to play. Place a limit on the number of times one person can be chosen.
Option 2 (Activity):
"Going on a King Hunt"
Supply List: a printed picture of King Saul
Before Class: Print out a picture of King Saul. Hide the picture somewhere in the room.
Like the Israelites who wanted a king and wouldn’t stop until they got one, the children will go on a king hunt. Tell the children when you say “Go!” that the f irst person to find the king wins. The child who finds King Saul can then hide him in a different place in the room for the others to find. Continue to give other children the opportunity to hide King Saul.
Option 1 (Craft):
"Paper Crown"
Supply List: cardstock, scissors, tape, markers, jewels, sequins, glue
Before Class: Gather supplies. Draw a zigzag line down the center of the cardstock (length wise, one per child). Make a sample craft.
Place scissors, tape, markers, jewels, sequins, and glue on tables. Give the chil dren each one piece of cardstock. Have them cut along the zigzag line. Have children decorate the pieces of the crown with markers, jewels, and sequins as desired. Have children tape the two pieces together to form a crown. Remind children that God is our King.
Contact Hannah Kitchens at hannah@gatherwithus.church for more information.