David and Saul lesson

David and Saul is an odd lesson.  You have the current king and the future king fighting each other.  Then there’s that whole bit where David marries again, even though he’s still married…..  That’s fun to explain to a Sunday School class.

But as I was organizing this lesson I came to realize the real David and Saul lesson is one of patience and self-control.  Last we saw David, he was fighting Goliath.

David and Saul lesson: patience

Think about how long David had to wait to become king.  He was a teen, and now he’s in his thirties and still not a king.  Not only that but he’s being hunted by the father of his best friend AND his wife.

We started off by looking at how much David traveled.  Wondermaps (affiliate link) has a great set of maps about David, and we followed him from place to place as he traveled all over Israel.  I mean look at that map up there.  He’s all over during this period.

 Imagine how David felt as he ran.  He was going to be king, and he was sleeping in caves.  He had to hide among his enemies.  See the sketch of David and Goliath?  David hid among Goliath’s relatives.  How humiliating that had to be.  Great patience in that man.

And God rewarded that patience.  While he’s on the run men flock to him.  Eventually he is leading a small army.

David and Saul lesson: Self Control

Two separate times David had the opportunity to kill Saul.  His men told him to do it, they said “God gave you this opportunity.”

Both times David turned his hand.  That takes great self control.  More than I think I have.

First, at the cave David had the chance to kill Saul, and again when Saul fell asleep with all of his guards.  David snuck in and took Saul’s spear and water jug.  What amazes me even more?

He felt shame for doing these things.  He realized he had dishonored the chosen king of Israel and that was not his right.  Impressive man.

Sometimes David needed reminding of who he was.  When Nabol turned down paying David for work, David was set to destroy him.  Abigail stepped in and reminded David of who he was, and what God called him to be.  David recognized her wisdom.

Now here’s the awkward part, David marries Abigail when she becomes a widow, and here you see David’s fatal flaw (if he were a Shakespearean character): women.  He can’t seem to resist them.

Eventually, we went back to our map and looked at the small map from Wondermaps and compared it to our big map, and were amazed at David’s journeys.

 

David and Saul lesson resources

(affiliate links when applicable)

What’s in the Bible? Volume Five – Israel Gets a King

David Flannelboard Figures (I like this set because it includes figures to act out more than just David and Goliath, it’s got Jonathan AND a harp and sheep)

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Wondermaps

Bible Road Trip 1 Samuel part 2

Get your own David and Saul lesson.

Find out what happens to David next in the King David lesson.