The Ark Among the Philistines Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “There is no one like the LORD.”
God’s people had a special box called the ark. It was covered with gold. On top were two golden angels with wings. The ark reminded God’s people that God was with them. It was kept in God’s house at a town called Shiloh.
One day there was a battle with their enemies, the Philistines. The leaders said, “Let’s get the ark of the LORD’s covenant out of Shiloh.” They hoped the ark would save them. So the ark came into the camp. And all the people gave a great shout. The ground rang with the noise!
The Philistines heard the shout. “God has come into the camp,” they said. They were afraid. But they fought hard. And God’s people lost the battle. Then the Philistines took the ark away!
The Philistines carried the ark to their town, Ashdod. They put it in the house of their god, Dagon. They set it right next to Dagon. Dagon was a pretend god, a statue made by people.
Early the next morning, the people came in. Oh no! Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground, in front of the LORD’s ark. Bump! There is no one like the LORD.
The people picked Dagon up. They put him back in his place. But the next morning, Dagon had fallen down again! This time he was broken into pieces. Can you bow down low with your face to the floor, like Dagon?
Then the LORD’s hand was heavy on the Philistines. Many got sick with painful sores. “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us,” they said. So they sent the ark to another town. But there, people got sick too. They sent it to a third town. And the people there cried, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away!” They wanted it to go back to its own place. There is no one like the LORD.
The ark stayed with the Philistines for seven months. Then they asked their priests, “What shall we do with the LORD’s ark?”
The priests had a plan. So the men made a new cart. They hitched up two mother cows that had never pulled a cart. But they kept the cows’ calves at home. They put the ark on the cart. Next to it they put a box with a gift: five little golden mice!
The priests said to watch the cows. If the cows went straight to Israel, it was God’s hand. But mother cows want to stay with their babies. What do you think the cows did?
The two cows did not turn back. They walked straight down the road toward Israel. They did not turn to the right or to the left. They went mooing all the way. Moo! Moo! Can you moo like the cows? There is no one like the LORD.
God’s people were out in the fields. They were cutting the wheat. They looked up and saw the ark coming. And they were so glad to see it!
The cart stopped by a great stone. Helpers from God’s house set the ark on the stone. The people gave thanks to the LORD. The Philistine leaders watched it all. Then they went home.
God had brought his ark back to his people. No pretend god could stand before him. There is no one like the LORD.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think the Philistines thought when they saw Dagon on the floor?
- How do you think God’s people felt when they saw the ark coming back?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 2 cows and the 5 golden mice.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“There is no one as holy as the LORD” — 1 Samuel 2:2 (There is no one → shake your head; as holy → hands folded; as the LORD → point up high)
Dear God, there is no one like you. Thank you that you are stronger than anything. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Is Never a Lucky Charm
Memory verse: “There is no one as holy as the LORD, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.” — 1 Samuel 2:2 · WEB
The Bible story
When enemies capture God's golden Ark, they soon learn a wonderful truth: no one can outshine the one true God, who brings His Ark safely home.
Talk about it
- Who did the Israelites go out to fight? — The Philistines
- What did the soldiers bring to battle, hoping to win? — The holy Ark of God
- Why was it wrong to treat the Ark like a lucky charm? — God is not a charm to be used
- What happened to the Ark in the battle? — The Philistines carried it away
- Where did the Philistines put the Ark? — In the temple of Dagon
- What did they find the next morning? — Dagon had fallen on his face
Where is Jesus in this story?
When the Ark came into Dagon's temple, the idol fell on its face before it (1 Samuel 5:3). No false god can stand before the true God. The Bible says one day every knee will bow to Jesus, and everyone will say that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). Jesus is not a prize anyone can capture; He is King over all.
What God wants to tell us
The Israelites hoped the Ark would win their battle like a magic charm, but God is not a charm to be used. He is the living, holy God who takes care of His own honor. Even when His golden Ark was carried far away, God was never worried and never weak. He gently showed the Philistines that He is greater than any idol, and He brought His Ark safely home. We can trust that our great God is always in charge, even when things look sad or scary.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You that You are holy and strong, and greater than anything else in the whole world. Help me to trust You instead of lucky charms, and to know You are always with me. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
