Leader Guide
Teaching Time
- Toy crown from Object to Go!
- Optional: Crown Page, cardstock, stapler, tape, or glue stick, gold crayon or marker, and scissors
- Empty tissue box
- Three rubber bands (large/strong enough to fit around the tissue box ends)
- Masking tape
- Robe and belt
- Optional: toy sword and bow
- Chair (throne)
- Empty paper towel tube (King Saul's spear)
- Two foam pool noodles (Saul's guards' spears)
- Actors: David, Jonathan, Saul, King's guards (2)
- Optional: costume beards for one or more characters
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
Note: Save the props for Lesson 2 and Lesson 3 so children can act out the story again.
Optional: If not using a toy crown, make one copy of the Crown Page. If printed in black and white, color the crown gold and the jewels other colors.
Cut out the crown and attach the ends together using staples or tape.
Optional: make a harp (kinnor) by stretching three rubber bands end to end over the box.
Assist the actors with beards and costumes.
King Saul’s two guards will hold “spears” (pool noodles) and stand beside the throne.
The remainder of the children can be God’s people (crowd).
Slowly read the Bible story as outlined below. Pause at the bold text to direct the actors. Bring excitement to the story by varying your expression, voice, and volume level.
● Enter David. Oh, look, everyone! Here comes David! He was a brave soldier who won many battles. David’s strength and success came from God. David points to sky and then flexes muscles.
● God’s people loved David and liked to celebrate his victories. They would clap and cheer and dance for joy. The crowd dances, claps, and cheers for David.
● David and Jonathan were best friends. The actors smile and put their hands on each other’s shoulders.
● Jonathan loved David so much that he gave him his robe, belt, bow, and sword. Jonathan hands the items to David and smiles.
● David and Jonathan promised to always be best friends no matter what happened. The two shake hands.
● Place the chair (throne) off to the side of David and Jonathan. Enter King Saul wearing crown, holding spear (paper towel tube).
● Uh-oh! Here comes King Saul! Whenever King Saul heard the cheers and songs for David and saw the dancing, it made him very angry. The crowd cheers and dances. Saul and the guards make angry faces.
● Saul wanted the people to cheer for him, not David! Points to self and nods head "yes."
● Jonathan wasn’t just a friend to David; he was also King Saul’s son! Jonathan stands at one side of the throne and to side of the guard.
● This meant that Jonathan should be the king one day. Place crown on Jonathan’s head.
● But this wasn’t God’s plan. God had chosen David to be king instead.
● David was Jonathan’s best friend for life. So, instead of being angry, Jonathan trusted God’s plan and was happy for David. Jonathan smiles and places the crown on David’s head.
● Jonathan exits, and the crown is placed back on Saul’s head.
● David was a musician who loved to worship God. He often sang and played the harp (kinnor) for King Saul when the king was sad. David stands several feet from the king and plays the harp. King Saul smiles.
● One day, Saul became very angry about how God chose David to be king instead of Jonathan. Saul makes angry face.
● Saul became so angry that he tried to hurt David.
● Saul stands up with angry face and (gently) throws “spear” beside David.
● David quickly jumped, and the spear missed. David jumps away from spear.
● King Saul makes angry face and exits. Jonathan enters.
● David told Jonathan what King Saul had done. At first, Jonathan couldn’t believe it. Jonathan shakes head "no."
● But Jonathan trusted David and knew his good friend would not lie to him. So, Jonathan promised to help David escape and always to be his friend. David promised that when he became king, he would always take care of Jonathan’s family. The two actors hug and shake hands. Jonathan exits.
● David ran away and hid from Saul for many years. David runs in place, then crouches down.
● One day, David did become king, just like God planned. David sits on throne with crown on his head.
● David remembered his friendship with Jonathan and cared for Jonathan’s family, just as he promised! Smiles and nods head "yes."
David and Jonathan were best friends forever. They helped and trusted each other in good times and in bad times—now, that’s friendship!
Hold up the crown or put it on your head. Do you remember our Object to Go? Two people wore a crown in the Bible story. Who were they? Saul and David.
Optional Review Questions
Why did King Saul want to hurt David? He was jealous. He didn’t like David. He wanted Jonathan to be king.
What instrument did David play to make King Saul feel better? A harp.
Who was David’s best friend? Jonathan.
Who did David take care of after he became king? Jonathan’s family.