Saul Becomes King - 1 Samuel 8 - 10

Here are some good videos

- What’s in the Bible, DVD 5 from 9:00 - 13:00

Idea 1

Design your own king.

Divide the kids into group and give them a large piece of paper, ask them to design their own King or Queen or both.
What would that person look like? What kind of qualities would they have?

Idea 2

Search for the donkeys.

Cut out a picture of donkeys, or use a stuffed donkey, and hide it someone in the area where you are teaching.
Tell the kids they are having a race to see who can find the donkey first.
Have a conversation with the kids about Saul searching for his Dad’s donkeys.

Idea 3

Guess who is King?

Ask the kids to sit in a circle cross legged with their eyes closed
Walk around the outside of the circle and tap one of the kids one the head, place a small paper crown behind them where no one can see (or you can let them hide it in their lap). That person is now “King”
Ask all the kids to open their eyes and ask the kids who wants to guess who is King. Let each kid guess twice until the “king” is found.
Play this game as many times as you would like.
Have a conversation with the kids about Saul being picked to be king, but hiding. Ask them why they thought Saul hid?

Idea 4

Read this version of the story for the kids.

Idea 5

Brainstorm ideas of why Saul would hide in the crowd when it was announced that he would be King.

Idea 6

True or false questions

Saul went looking for his dad’s zebra’s (False)
Saul couldn’t find his Dad’s donkey’s so he went home right away, and the donkeys were never found. (false)
Sauls couldn’t find his Dad’s donkeys so he went to ask Samuel about them. (True)
Samuel invited Saul over for dinner and gave him the best place at the table. (True)
Samuel told Saul that his donkeys died and his dad was very upset. (False)
Samuel told Saul that God has chosen him to be king. (True)
When Samuel announced that Saul would be king, Saul hid and the people had to pull him out and crown him king. (True)

Idea 7

Make a two sided chart.

Make two titles, one that says “God as King” and the other that says “Person as King”.
Cut out some pieces of paper and brainstorm with the kids. What are some of the things that happen when God is King, what are some of the things that happen when a person is King.
Talk about all the differences with the group.

Click on the titles for formal lesson plans

Kindergarten and Grade 1 - Saul Becomes King