Saul and the Lost Donkeys — Anointed 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: “God was leading Saul all the way.”
Saul was a young man from the family of Benjamin. His father’s name was Kish. Saul was very tall – taller than anyone else in Israel! He was taller by a whole head and shoulders.
One day his father’s donkeys got lost. “Take one of the servants with you,” his father said. “Go look for the donkeys.”
So Saul and the servant went looking. They walked over hills. They walked through one land, and then another. But they could not find the donkeys anywhere. Hee-haw! Can you call like a donkey? God was leading Saul all the way.
After three days, Saul said, “Come! Let’s return.” He did not want his father to worry about them.
But the servant said, “There is a man of God in this city. All that he says surely happens. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.” “But what can we bring him?” asked Saul. “Our bread is all gone.” The servant had a small piece of silver. They could give him that.
So they walked up the hill to the town. They met some young women going out to get water. “Is the seer here?” they asked. “He is,” said the women. A seer is a prophet. He sees what God shows him. The seer was Samuel.
Now the LORD had told Samuel a secret the day before. “Tomorrow I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin. You shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel.”
Then Samuel saw Saul. The LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you!” God was leading Saul all the way.
Saul came up to Samuel. “Please tell me where the seer’s house is,” he said. “I am the seer,” said Samuel. “As for your donkeys, they have been found.”
Saul was surprised. “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?” he said. He meant: My family is small. Why would you choose me?
Then Samuel took Saul to a big dinner. About thirty people were there. Samuel gave Saul the best seat. The cook brought a special piece of meat. It had been kept just for Saul!
The next morning, Samuel took a little bottle of oil. He poured it on Saul’s head, and kissed him. That is called anointing. It showed that God had chosen him. Samuel said, “Hasn’t the LORD anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?” That meant Saul would lead God’s people.
When Saul turned to go, God gave him another heart. God changed him on the inside, to make him ready. God was leading Saul all the way.
Later Samuel called all the people together. God showed them that Saul was the one. But where was Saul? Nobody could find him! The LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Baggage means bags and boxes. Can you hide your face? Peekaboo!
They ran and brought him out. Saul stood up, taller than everyone. Samuel said, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen?” All the people shouted, “Long live the king!” Let’s shout it too: “Long live the king!”
Then Saul went home to Gibeah. Brave men went with him. God had touched their hearts.
Lost donkeys had led Saul to Samuel. God had chosen Israel’s first king. God knows the way, even when we do not. God was leading Saul all the way.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Saul hid among the bags and boxes?
- How do you think Saul felt when Samuel poured oil on his head?
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)
“Hasn’t the LORD anointed you to be prince” — 1 Samuel 10:1 (the LORD → point up; anointed you → pretend to pour oil on your head; to be prince → put a crown on your head)
Dear God, thank you that you lead us, even when we don’t know the way. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Sees and Chooses You
Memory verse: “Hasn't the LORD anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?” — 1 Samuel 10:1 · WEB
The Bible story
A young man named Saul goes searching for his father's lost donkeys — and discovers God has an amazing surprise waiting that will change his life forever!
Talk about it
- What did Saul's father, Kish, lose? — Some donkeys
- Who went with Saul to search? — A servant
- How did the search go at first? — They could not find them
- Whom did the servant suggest they visit? — A man of God
- What had God told Samuel the day before? — I will send you a man to lead Israel
- What did Samuel say about the donkeys? — They were already found
Where is Jesus in this story?
Samuel poured oil on Saul to make him king, but Saul was only the beginning of God's plan. Many years later, God sent a greater and forever King — Jesus. The word 'anointed' is where we get the name 'Christ,' which means 'the Anointed One.' Unlike any earthly king, Jesus rules with perfect love and never lets us down. Saul reminds us that we are all waiting for the King who came to rescue us and love us always.
What God wants to tell us
Saul went out to look for donkeys, but God was looking for Saul all along. Even when Saul felt small and shy, God had a special plan just for him. God knows your name too, and He has good plans for you. You do not need to be the loudest or the bravest, because God loves to use ordinary, humble hearts to do wonderful things. You can trust that God sees you and cares about every step you take.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You that You know my name and have a special plan just for me. Help me to trust You even when I feel small or shy. Thank You for sending Jesus, my forever King. I love You. Amen.
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