Single lesson
David Takes Jerusalem
2 Samuel 5:6–11; 1 Chronicles 11:4–9
In this lesson, children will read how David took Jerusalem, how the city became known as David’s city, and how the passage shows both human action and the clear statement that the Lord was with David.
Before you teach
These verses tell of David and his men going to Jerusalem, also called Jebus, where the Jebusites lived. The people there spoke against David, yet he took the stronghold of Zion. The passage then describes building work, Joab’s role, and David growing greater because the Lord was with him.
Students will be able to put the account in order and explain two outcomes of David taking Jerusalem, including that David lived there and grew greater because Yahweh was with him.
Welcome: Where did David go?
4 minShow children the title and explain that today’s story is about David going to Jerusalem. Say that Jerusalem is also called Jebus in this passage. Ask children to listen for who was there already, what they said to David, and what happened next. Keep the goal simple: we are sequencing the account and noticing outcomes.
2 Samuel 5:6, 1 Chronicles 11:4
Read and explain: A city that resisted David
7 minRead 2 Samuel 5:6-7 and 1 Chronicles 11:4-5 aloud. Explain that the Jebusites told David he would not come in. Teacher note: 2 Samuel 5:6 includes insulting words used in a conflict. They are part of the passage, but they must not be treated as acceptable words about disabled people today. The passage then says David took the stronghold of Zion, which became David’s city.
2 Samuel 5:6, 2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:4, 1 Chronicles 11:5
Discuss: Choices, leadership and outcomes
6 minRead 1 Chronicles 11:6 and note David’s challenge: whoever struck the Jebusites first would become chief and captain. Joab went up first and was made chief. Then read 2 Samuel 5:8 carefully. Teacher note: this verse continues the insulting language from the conflict and should not be repeated as acceptable speech today. After the city was taken, David lived there and building work followed.
1 Chronicles 11:6, 2 Samuel 5:8, 2 Samuel 5:9, 1 Chronicles 11:7, 1 Chronicles 11:8
Make and respond: Sequence cards of the account
8 minChildren make simple sequence cards for key moments: David went to Jerusalem, the Jebusites resisted him, David took the stronghold, Joab went up first, David lived there, the city was built, and David grew greater because Yahweh was with him. As they place the cards in order, ask them to match each card to words from the passage.
2 Samuel 5:6, 2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:6, 2 Samuel 5:9, 1 Chronicles 11:8, 2 Samuel 5:10
Closing: What does the passage clearly say?
5 minFinish by reading 2 Samuel 5:10-11 and 1 Chronicles 11:9. Help children notice that the passage does not only describe victory and building. It directly says David grew greater because Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him. In 2 Samuel, Hiram also sent materials and workers to build David a house. Review the story in order one more time.
2 Samuel 5:10, 2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Chronicles 11:9
Questions to explore
What did the people living in Jerusalem say to David before he took the city?
Look closely at the words of the Jebusites and notice that they were confident David would not come in, yet the next verse tells a different outcome.
2 Samuel 5:6, 1 Chronicles 11:5
What changed after David took the stronghold of Zion?
Find the verses that say David lived there, the place was called David’s city, and building work happened around the city.
2 Samuel 5:7, 2 Samuel 5:9, 1 Chronicles 11:7, 1 Chronicles 11:8
According to the passage, why did David grow greater and greater?
Use the exact reason given in both books rather than guessing from the events.
2 Samuel 5:10, 1 Chronicles 11:9
Make, think or respond
Jerusalem Story Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- Plain paper or card
- Pencils or textas
- Scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Write or draw seven moments from the passage on separate cards: going to Jerusalem, the Jebusites’ words, taking the stronghold, Joab going up first, David living there, building the city, and David growing greater.
- Mix up the cards and have children work in pairs to place them in order.
- Read the verses again and ask children to check each card against the passage.
- Invite each pair to explain one card and tell which verse supports it.
This activity helps children sequence the account and connect each outcome to the exact words of the passage.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the card labels for them and let them add simple drawings before ordering the story.
- For older or more confident readers, ask them to compare which details appear in 2 Samuel and which appear in 1 Chronicles, especially Joab and Hiram.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: "Lord God, thank you for your word. Help us listen carefully to what it says, and help us remember that you were with David. Please help us trust you and learn from your ways. Amen."
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Samuel 5
6 The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.”
7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.
8 David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
9 David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
10 David grew greater and greater, for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.
11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
1 Chronicles 11
4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city.
6 David had said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
7 David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city.
8 He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9 David grew greater and greater, for Yahweh of Armies was with him.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.