Single lesson
Samuel Anoints David
1 Samuel 16:1–13
In this lesson, children trace how Samuel went to Jesse’s family, watched sons pass by, and anointed David. The passage helps learners notice the order of events and compare human judgement with what Yahweh says he sees.
Before you teach
The passage begins with Yahweh speaking to Samuel after Saul has been rejected as king. Yahweh sends Samuel to Bethlehem, tells him to invite Jesse to a sacrifice, and promises to show him which son to anoint. The account stays focused on Yahweh’s choice and Samuel’s obedience.
Students will be able to sequence 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and explain that people may focus on outward appearance, while Yahweh says he looks at the heart.
Welcome: Who chooses in this story?
4 minShow children a small bottle or picture of oil and ask what it might be used for in a Bible story. Explain that in this passage Yahweh sends Samuel to anoint a king from Jesse’s sons. Tell the class they will listen for the choices made by Yahweh, Samuel and Jesse’s family.
1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:3
Read and explain: Samuel goes to Bethlehem
7 minRead verses 1-5 aloud. Point out that Samuel is mourning Saul, but Yahweh tells him to go. Samuel is afraid of Saul, and Yahweh tells him what to say and do. Samuel obeys, comes to Bethlehem, and invites Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice after they are sanctified.
1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:2, 1 Samuel 16:3, 1 Samuel 16:4, 1 Samuel 16:5
Discuss: What people see and what Yahweh sees
6 minRead verses 6-10. Ask children what Samuel first thought when he saw Eliab. Then explain Yahweh’s words carefully: people often notice outward appearance, but Yahweh says he looks at the heart. Jesse’s sons pass before Samuel, yet Yahweh has not chosen those seven.
1 Samuel 16:6, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Samuel 16:8, 1 Samuel 16:9, 1 Samuel 16:10
Make and respond: Put the story in order
8 minChildren make simple sequence cards showing key moments: Yahweh sends Samuel, Samuel comes to Bethlehem, sons pass by, David is called from the sheep, and Samuel anoints David. As they arrange the cards, ask them to retell the story in order and name the choices and outcomes in each step.
1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:4, 1 Samuel 16:10, 1 Samuel 16:11, 1 Samuel 16:13
Closing: David is chosen
5 minRead verses 11-13 again. Notice that David is the youngest and is keeping the sheep when Samuel asks if all the sons are present. When David arrives, Yahweh identifies him, Samuel anoints him, and Yahweh’s Spirit comes mightily on David from that day forward.
1 Samuel 16:11, 1 Samuel 16:12, 1 Samuel 16:13
Questions to explore
Why did Samuel go to Bethlehem in the first place?
Look at Yahweh’s words to Samuel about Saul, Jesse, and the king Yahweh had provided among Jesse’s sons.
1 Samuel 16:1
What mistake did Samuel nearly make when he saw Eliab?
Compare Samuel’s first thought with Yahweh’s correction about outward appearance and the heart.
1 Samuel 16:6, 1 Samuel 16:7
What happened after Samuel anointed David?
Read the end of the passage and notice both what came on David and what Samuel did next.
1 Samuel 16:13
Make, think or respond
Samuel Anoints David Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Help children identify five moments from the passage: Samuel is sent, Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, sons pass before Samuel, David is called from keeping the sheep, David is anointed.
- Children draw one moment on each card and add a short label or verse reference.
- Mix the cards and have children place them back in order.
- Invite each child or pair to retell the passage using their ordered cards.
This activity helps children follow the sequence of 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and see how the story moves from Yahweh’s instruction to David’s anointing.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare five pre-named story moments and let them draw only one picture for each before ordering them together as a group.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to add a sentence under each card describing a choice and its outcome, such as Samuel obeying or Yahweh not choosing the sons who passed before Samuel.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Yahweh, thank you for this passage. Please help us listen to your word, remember what happened, and learn from what you said about outward appearance and the heart.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Samuel 16
1 Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.”
2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” Yahweh said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’
3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”
4 Samuel did that which Yahweh spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”
5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6 When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely Yahweh’s anointed is before him.”
7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
10 Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.”
11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
12 He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
