Leader Guide
Teaching Time
- Bible Story Cards (7)
- Cardstock—seven sheets
- Marker
- Seven file folders (See note below in the instructions.)
- Table
- Optional: crayons or markers
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
- Optional: Bring the props from Lesson 1 so children can act out the story as you teach.
Make one copy of each of the seven Bible Story Cards.
Optional: for black and white copies, color the images. Color card #1 with brown for peanut butter and purple or red for grape or strawberry jelly.
Number the folders with a large number 1–7 with the marker.
Place each Bible Story Card in its matching numbered folder.
Place the folders in order on the table from left to right.
Note: if you prefer not to use the folders, write the card number on the back of each card and turn the image face down on the table.
Select a child to open one folder in order (1–7). Point out the correct folder as necessary.
Have the child hold up the image for all to see as you tell the story.
Optional: When each image is shown, ask the child or others what the image is and how the image relates to the story.
Tell the Bible story slowly using the bullets provided. Add interest to the story by varying facial expression, voice, and volume level and engaging the children in questions and responses.
● Folder #1. There were two men named David and Jonathan. They became friends—actually more than just friends: best friends! In fact, they stuck together like peanut butter and jelly!
● Point to image. Have you ever tried to pull a sandwich like this apart? Good luck!
● Folder #2. The Bible tells us that Jonathan loved David like himself (1 Samuel 18:3). Jonathan and David made a promise to always stay friends no matter what happened; good or bad! Can anyone remember what gifts Jonathan gave David as a sign of his friendship? His sword, belt, robe, and bow.
● Folder #3. David served King Saul, who sat on a throne and ruled God’s people, the Israelites. Whenever the king commanded, David went to battle to fight the enemies of God’s people.
● Folder #4. Saul had a son. Do you know his name? Jonathan.
● Yes, and who was Jonathan’s best friend? David!
● Since Jonathan was King Saul’s son, he was actually a prince and next in line to be the king after Saul! That was a problem because God had chosen someone else to be king. Do you remember who? David!
● How did King Saul feel about the thought of David being king instead of his son? Angry, jealous, mad.
● Was Jonathan angry and jealous like his father? No.
● How did Jonathan feel about David? He loved him.
● Jonathan chose to follow God’s plan and was happy for his best friend David.
● Folder #5. When King Saul was sad, what did David do to cheer him up? David played the harp to help King Saul feel better.
● But did that always stop King Saul from being jealous and thinking about how David would be king? No.
● Folder #6. One day as David played his harp for King Saul, what did the king do? He became so angry that he threw his spear at David!
● What did David do? He quickly jumped out of the way, and the spear missed him!
● David feared for his life. Could he stay safe around King Saul? No!
● So, David told Jonathan how King Saul tried to kill him. At first, Jonathan couldn’t believe it. But then what did Jonathan decide? To believe David.
● Jonathan knew he must trust David because best friends tell each other the truth!
● Folder #7. What else did Jonathan do? He protected David.
● Jonathan promised to help David escape from King Saul and to always be his friend—even when something as bad as this happened!
● What did David promise Jonathan? When he became king, he would always take care of Jonathan’s family.
● David hid and ran from Saul for many years.
● Hold up Bible Story Card #3 and #4. What do you think happened to David after many years of hiding from King Saul? He wore a crown and sat on the throne. He became king.
● David did become king, just like God planned!
● Did David remember his promise to Jonathan? Yes, when David became king, he took care of Jonathan’s family.
The Bible story of David and Jonathan shows us what a true friendship looks like. As great as their friendship was, we can have an even better one with Jesus! He is a perfect friend who forgives us and loves us forever. He will never leave us or let us down!
Optional Review Questions
Who were the best friends in our story? Jonathan and David.
Name something Jonathan gave to David as a sign of their friendship and promise. His sword, belt, robe, or bow.
Did David often play the harp for Jonathan? No, he played for King Saul.
What did King Saul throw at David? His spear.
Was it wrong for David to become king instead of Jonathan? No, God chose David.