David Spares Saul's Life - OT Lesson #60

This week, we read about how God gave David two opportunities to kill his enemy, but David kindly let Saul live!

Click "Read more" below to view the Story Notes, Important Ideas, Memory Verse, and Download Links for this week's lesson!

Story Notes

1. David hid in a cave and 400 men followed him.
2. David was hiding in a cave when Saul came in to use the bathroom.
3. David sneaked behind Saul and cut off a piece of robe.
4. David said he wouldn't ever kill the Lord's anointed king. 
5. David showed Saul the piece of robe to prove he didn't want to kill Saul.
6. God gave David a chance to kill Saul as he slept in a camp.
7. David took Saul's spear and water jug to show he didn't want to kill Saul.
8. After David spared him twice, Saul stopped hunting David.

 Important Ideas

1. Jesus died for us when we were God's enemies.
2. We should love our enemies and pray for them.

Memory Verse

Luke 6:27, ESV - But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you

• Say – make you hand talk like a puppet
• Hear – cup your hands behind your ears
• Love – put your hands over your heart
• Enemies – hold up your fists like you're ready to fight
• Good – two thumbs up
• Hate – cross your arms and scowl

Review Questions

• Where did David and his family hide from Saul? // A cave
• Why did Saul come into the cave? // To go to the bathroom
• What did David's men want him to do to Saul in the cave? // Kill him
• Instead of killing Saul, what did David do? // Cut off a piece of Saul's robe
• Why didn't David want to kill Saul? // Because Saul was anointed by God to be king
• When David showed Saul the piece of his robe he'd cut off, what did that show him? // David had been close enough to kill him, but he didn't; David didn't want to hurt Saul
• Why were David and his men able to sneak into Saul's camp? // God put them all into a deep sleep
• What did Abishai ask permission to do? // Kill Saul with a spear
• Instead of killing Saul as he slept, what did David do? // Took his spear and water jug
• When Saul saw David holding his spear and water jug, what did he do? // Said he'd sinned, stopped hunting David

Download Links

Please download the helpful Lesson Format Guide (PDF) to understand how you can use these lessons in your church's children's ministry.

• OT 60 Lesson - David Spares Saul's Life (PDF)
• OT 60 Resources (PDF)
• OT 60 Presentation File (LibreOffice, PowerPoint)
• OT 60 Devotional (PDF)

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