Single lesson
David Plays Music for Saul
1 Samuel 16:14–23
This lesson helps children follow how David came to Saul, what the servants suggested, and what happened when David played the harp. Students will sequence the account and notice how each step leads to the next.
Before you teach
In this passage, Saul is troubled after Yahweh’s Spirit departs from him. Saul’s servants suggest finding a skilful harp player. A young man identifies David, son of Jesse. Saul sends for David, Jesse sends him, and David comes to serve Saul and play for him.
Students will be able to retell the sequence in 1 Samuel 16:14–23 and name the choices and outcomes for Saul, his servants, Jesse and David.
Welcome: Who helped, and how?
4 minAsk children to listen for who speaks, who acts, and what changes. Explain that this story begins with Saul in trouble, and his servants noticing it. Tell the class they will build the story in order and watch how one suggestion leads to the next step in the passage.
1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Samuel 16:15, 1 Samuel 16:16
Read and explain: The problem and the plan
7 minRead verses 14–17 aloud. Explain that Saul is troubled, his servants recognise the trouble, and they suggest finding a skilful harp player. Saul agrees and commands them to provide such a man. Point out the repeated idea that music will be played when Saul is troubled and that Saul listens to the advice given.
1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Samuel 16:15, 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Samuel 16:17
Discuss: David is identified and sent
6 minRead verses 18–20. Ask children to list what the young man says about David: he is skilful in playing, prudent in speech, and Yahweh is with him. Then notice the next actions in order: Saul sends messengers to Jesse, and Jesse sends David with gifts. Emphasise that the class should stick to what the verses actually say.
1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 16:19, 1 Samuel 16:20
Make and respond: Sequence cards
8 minChildren make simple cards for key moments: Saul troubled, servants suggest music, Saul asks for a player, David is named, Saul sends for David, Jesse sends David, David serves Saul, David plays and Saul is refreshed. After arranging the cards, children retell the passage using the order shown in the verses.
1 Samuel 16:15, 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Samuel 16:17, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 16:19, 1 Samuel 16:20, 1 Samuel 16:21, 1 Samuel 16:22, 1 Samuel 16:23
Closing: What changed in the story?
5 minRead verses 21–23. Point out the outcomes named in the passage: David came to Saul, Saul loved him greatly, David became his armour bearer, David found favour in Saul’s sight, and Saul was refreshed and was well when David played. Finish by inviting one-sentence retellings of the story in order.
1 Samuel 16:21, 1 Samuel 16:22, 1 Samuel 16:23
Questions to explore
What did Saul’s servants suggest should be done when Saul was troubled?
Look closely at their plan in the verses: they wanted a skilful harp player to be found, and they said Saul would be well when he played.
1 Samuel 16:16
What reasons did the young man give for recommending David?
Read the description carefully and list the words the verse uses about David’s playing, speech, and the statement that Yahweh is with him.
1 Samuel 16:18
What happened when David played the harp for Saul?
Answer with the outcomes named in the verse itself, especially the words refreshed, well, and departed.
1 Samuel 16:23
Make, think or respond
Story Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or textas
- Bible
- scissors
Try it together
- Write or draw eight key moments from the passage, one on each card.
- Mix the cards up and ask children to place them back in order from verses 14 to 23.
- Invite pairs to retell the story using the ordered cards.
- Ask children to circle one choice in the story and say what outcome followed from it.
This activity helps children trace the order of events and see how the passage moves from Saul’s trouble to David’s service and Saul’s relief.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the card titles in advance and let them add simple drawings before sequencing them.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include verse numbers on each card and explain why each card belongs in that place.
An optional closing prayer
Dear God, thank you for this passage about David and Saul. Please help us listen carefully to your word and understand what it says about people’s choices and what followed. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Samuel 16
14 Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.
15 Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
16 Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”
17 Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
18 Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.”
19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”
20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.
22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
23 When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.