David Prepares for the Temple 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: “David got everything ready for God’s house.”
King David was getting old. In his heart he had a big wish. He wanted to build a house for the LORD. It would be a temple – a place where people could come to worship God.
But the LORD’s word had come to David. “You shall not build a house to my name,” God said. David had fought in many wars. God said, “A son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. He shall build a house for my name.”
That son was Solomon. His name sounds like the word for peace. But Solomon was still young.
There was a special place in Jerusalem. There David said, “This is the house of the LORD God.” Right here God’s house would stand one day.
David said, “Solomon my son is young and tender.” Tender means he was still young and had much to learn. “The house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent.” That means very, very beautiful! “I will therefore make preparation for it.” That means: I will get everything ready. David got everything ready for God’s house.
David asked workers to cut big stones. They cut them into neat blocks. Chip, chip, chip! Can you tap like a stone cutter?
David gathered iron for nails for the big doors. He gathered so much bronze that nobody could weigh it all. Bronze is a shiny, brown-gold metal.
People from the cities of Sidon and Tyre came too. Those cities were by the big sea. They brought tall cedar trees – trees with strong, sweet-smelling wood. There were too many to count! David got everything ready for God’s house.
David gathered gold and silver too – so much gold and silver! He found many workers who were good at building. Some could cut stone. Some could work with wood. Some could do every kind of work.
Then David called Solomon. “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house,” he said. “Now, my son, may the LORD be with you. Build the house of the LORD your God.”
David said, “Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid.” Courageous means brave. Can you stand up strong and brave like Solomon? David got everything ready for God’s house.
“Of the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number,” David said. “Arise and be doing, and may the LORD be with you.” That means: get up and start working!
David also told all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon. “Isn’t the LORD your God with you?” he asked them. “Hasn’t he given you rest on every side?” Rest means peace, with no war.
“Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God,” David said. A sanctuary is a holy house for God. The ark of God would have its home there. The ark was a golden box. It was a sign that God was with his people.
So many people would help to build God’s house together. Can you count the things David got ready? Stones, iron, bronze, cedar trees, gold and silver!
God had promised it, and God would be with Solomon. David got everything ready for God’s house.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think David felt when God said his son would build the house?
- What would you like to get ready for someone you love?
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)
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid” — 1 Chronicles 22:13 (Be strong → make strong arms; courageous → stand up tall; Don’t be afraid → shake your head no, then smile)
Dear God, thank you that you are with me. Help me to be strong and brave. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Everyone Has a Part to Play
Memory verse: “Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid and don't be dismayed.” — 1 Chronicles 22:13 · WEB
The Bible story
King David dreamed of building a shining temple for God, and when God gave the job to his son, David gathered treasures to help the dream come true.
Talk about it
- What did King David dream of building for God? — A beautiful temple
- Why did God choose someone else to build the temple? — David had fought many wars
- Who did God choose to build the temple? — David's son Solomon
- What does the name Solomon mean? — Peace
- How did David feel about God's new plan? — He trusted God's good plan
- What did David gather first to get ready? — Stone and iron
Where is Jesus in this story?
God told David that his son would build the temple and that God would establish his throne forever (1 Chronicles 22:10). Solomon built the temple, but his kingdom did not last forever. The angel told Mary that Jesus would receive “the throne of his father David” and “his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:32–33). Jesus is the forever King God promised.
What God wants to tell us
This story shows us that God has a special part for each of us, even when it is different from what we hoped for. David could not build the temple himself, but he did not sulk or give up. Instead, he cheerfully prepared everything so his son could finish the work. God is pleased when we help others shine, and He can use our love long after our part is done. No kind thing you do for God is ever too small.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving me and giving me a special part to play. Help me to trust Your good plans, even when they surprise me. Teach me to help others with a happy heart, just like David. Please make me strong and brave today. Amen.
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