David Becomes King 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: “For the LORD was with David.”
King Saul had died. Now God’s people needed a new king. David was living in a town called Hebron. Long ago, when David was a shepherd boy, God had chosen him. Samuel had poured oil on his head. For the LORD was with David.
At first, only David’s own tribe made him king. A tribe is a big family group. For seven years, David was their king in Hebron.
Then one day all the families of Israel came to Hebron. “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh,” they said to David. That meant they were all one big family.
They remembered how David had led them out to battle, and home again. And they said the LORD had told him, “You will be shepherd of my people Israel.”
David used to take care of sheep. Now he would take care of God’s people. Can you hold a pretend shepherd’s staff? A staff is a long walking stick.
So David made a promise with the leaders, before the LORD. And they made David king over all Israel. David was thirty years old. Let’s count by tens: ten, twenty, thirty! David would be king for forty years.
Then David went to the city of Jerusalem. It was a strong city on a hill. David took it and made it his home. It was called David’s city. David built more and more around it.
A king named Hiram sent tall cedar trees. Cedar wood smells sweet and lasts a long time. Hiram sent builders too, to work with wood and stone. They built David a beautiful house. Knock, knock, bang!
David grew greater and greater. For the LORD was with David. David knew that the LORD had made him king. God did it to bless his people.
In Jerusalem, many children were born to David. One of his sons was named Solomon. Someday Solomon would be king too.
But the Philistines came to fight. So David asked the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?” The LORD said, “Go up! For I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.” Deliver means to give.
And David won. David said it this way. “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” That is like water bursting through a wall. Whoosh!
Then the Philistines came again. Again David asked the LORD what to do. This time the LORD said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them.”
The LORD said more. “When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up.” Can you tap your fingers like marching in the treetops? Tap, tap, tap!
David did just as the LORD commanded him. The LORD went out before him. And David won the battle. For the LORD was with David.
The shepherd boy had become king. God had kept his promise to David. And God is with you too, little one, as you go to sleep. For the LORD was with David.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think the marching sound in the treetops sounded like?
- How is taking care of sheep like taking care of people?
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)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“For the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him” — 2 Samuel 5:10 (the LORD → point up; was with him → hug yourself)
Dear God, thank you that you were with David. Thank you that you keep your promises. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Keeps His Promises
Memory verse: “David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.” — 2 Samuel 5:10 · WEB
The Bible story
After years of waiting, a gentle shepherd boy is finally crowned king of Israel and captures a mighty city, all because God kept His wonderful promise.
Talk about it
- What job did David have when he was a boy? — A shepherd
- What had God chosen David to become one day? — A king
- How did David act while he waited for God's timing? — He trusted God
- Where did all the tribes of Israel go to make David king? — Hebron
- How old was David when he became king? — Thirty years old
- What did the leaders place on David's head to show he was chosen? — Oil
Where is Jesus in this story?
David was a shepherd who became a good and gentle king, but he points us to an even greater King who was still to come. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, David's own town, and He is called the Son of David. Just like David, Jesus waited and trusted His Father, and He rules with perfect love and kindness. Jesus is the forever King whose kingdom of love will never, ever end.
What God wants to tell us
God had promised David long ago that he would one day be king, and God never once forgot. Even when David had to wait a very long time, God was quietly working behind the scenes for good. This story reminds us that God always keeps His promises and is never, ever late. We can trust Him with our own waiting too, knowing His loving plan is always at work for us.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for always keeping Your promises, just like You did for David. Help me to be patient and to trust You while I wait for good things. Please give me a brave and gentle heart to follow You every day. I love You. Amen.
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