Single lesson
Sirach 47: Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship
Sirach 47:1–11; Sirach 47:12–22; Sirach 47:23–25
Sirach 47:1–11 briefly links Nathan with David, then praises David’s strength, victories, thanksgiving, and ordered worship. The writing uses poetic comparisons and summary language to show David as honoured by the Lord and active in praise. This lesson also brings together Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented, Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin.
Before you teach
In this part of Sirach, Nathan is named first, and the focus moves quickly to David. The passage recalls David’s distinction in Israel, his victory over Goliath, strength given by the Most High Lord, victories over enemies, songs of thanks, arrangements for worship, and the Lord’s gifts of mercy and kingship.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 47: Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship, using two details from the reading. Sirach 47:1–11 presents David as strengthened and honoured by the Lord, and as one who responded with wholehearted praise. This passage shows that wisdom and honour can be damaged by folly, yet the Lord’s mercy is not erased by human failure. This passage warns that foolish leadership and chosen wickedness can spread sin widely and bring serious judgement.
Welcome: Sirach 47: Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship
5 minIntroduce “Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship”, “Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented”, “Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin” and locate Sirach 47:1–11; Sirach 47:12–22; Sirach 47:23–25. Sirach 47:1–11 presents David as strengthened and honoured by the Lord, and as one who responded with wholehearted praise. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 47:1, Sirach 47:6, Sirach 47:11
Read and explain the passage
12 minNathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship (Sirach 47:1–11): The passage opens by saying Nathan rose to prophesy in David’s days. It then describes David as separated from the children of Israel, using an image from the peace offering. The comparison marks David out as distinct within the people rather than blending into the crowd.
Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented (Sirach 47:12–22): Solomon is introduced as “a wise son” who lived in security. His peaceful reign is traced to God, who gave him rest all around. Sirach says this peace had a purpose: that Solomon might set up a house for God’s name and prepare a sanctuary forever.
Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin (Sirach 47:23–25): The passage begins after Solomon’s death and names Rehoboam from his offspring. Sirach describes him very negatively as “the foolishness of the people” and “one who lacked understanding”. It also says the people revolted because of his counsel, linking his advice and leadership with division among the people.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship”, “Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented”, “Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 47:1, Sirach 47:2, Sirach 47:12, Sirach 47:13, Sirach 47:23
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What does Sirach say David did before receiving strength for battle?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage warns that foolish leadership and chosen wickedness can spread sin widely and bring serious judgement. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 47:5, Sirach 47:19, Sirach 47:20, Sirach 47:21, Sirach 47:24, Sirach 47:25
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 47: Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship”, “Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented”, “Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 47:1, Sirach 47:13, Sirach 47:25
Closing: return to Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin
3 minRevisit Sirach 47:23–25. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 47:23, Sirach 47:24, Sirach 47:25
Questions to explore
What does Sirach say David did before receiving strength for battle?
Look at the order in the verse: David called upon the Most High Lord, and then the Lord gave him strength.
Sirach 47:5
How does Sirach describe the results of Solomon’s folly?
Notice both the personal results for Solomon and family and the political result for the kingdom.
Sirach 47:19, Sirach 47:20, Sirach 47:21
What three results or stages are named after these sins increased?
Trace the movement from multiplied sins, to removal from the land, to vengeance.
Sirach 47:24, Sirach 47:25
Make, think or respond
Sirach 47: Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 47:1–11; Sirach 47:12–22; Sirach 47:23–25. Use “Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship”, “Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented”, “Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Sirach 47: Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship”, “Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented”, “Rehoboam and Jeroboam epitomize division and mounting sin” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 47:1–11; Sirach 47:12–22; Sirach 47:23–25. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 47:1–11; Sirach 47:12–22; Sirach 47:23–25. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 47
1 After him, Nathan rose up to prophesy in the days of David.
2 As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, so was David separated from the children of Israel.
3 He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs of the flock.
4 In his youth didn’t he kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people when he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, and beat down the boasting Goliath?
5 For he called upon the Most High Lord, and he gave him strength in his right hand to kill a man mighty in war, to exalt the horn of his people.
6 So they glorified him for his tens of thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, in that a glorious diadem was given to him.
7 For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and defeated the Philistines his adversaries. He broke their horn in pieces to this day.
8 In every work of his he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory. He sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him.
9 He set singers before the altar, to make sweet melody by their music.
10 He gave beauty to the feasts, and set in order the seasons to completion while they praised his holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.
11 The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever. He gave him a covenant of kings, and a glorious throne in Israel.
12 After him a wise son rose up, who because of him lived in security.
13 Solomon reigned in days of peace. God gave him rest all around, that he might set up a house for his name, and prepare a sanctuary forever.
14 How wise you were made in your youth, and filled as a river with understanding!
15 Your influence covered the earth, and you filled it with parables and riddles.
16 Your name reached to the far away islands, and you were loved for your peace.
17 For your songs, proverbs, parables, and interpretations, the countries marveled at you.
18 By the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel, you gathered gold like tin, and multiplied silver like lead.
19 You bowed your loins to women, and in your body you were brought into subjection.
20 You blemished your honor, and defiled your offspring, to bring wrath upon your children. I was grieved for your folly,
21 because the sovereignty was divided, and a disobedient kingdom ruled out of Ephraim.
22 But the Lord will never forsake his mercy. He won’t destroy any of his works, nor blot out the posterity of his elect. He won’t take away the offspring of him who loved him. He gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root from his own family.
23 So Solomon rested with his fathers. Of his offspring, he left behind him Rehoboam, the foolishness of the people, and one who lacked understanding, who made the people revolt by his counsel. Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, and gave a way of sin to Ephraim.
24 Their sins were multiplied exceedingly, until they were removed from their land.
25 For they sought out all manner of wickedness, until vengeance came upon them.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.