Not As It Seems!
The story of Samuel and David
by Manon Ceridwen James (revised, originally published in 2014)
Suitable for Key Stage 2
Aims
To use the Bible story of Samuel and David to consider that things aren’t always what they seem.
Preparation and materials
- You will need to be familiar with the Bible story that is found in 1 Samuel 16.1-13. It is available at: https://tinyurl.com/43e4rftc
The story tells us about when Samuel chose Jesse’s most unlikely son to be the future king of Israel. It shows that God often has different criteria in comparison to humans when it comes to making good decisions. - You will also need ten children to act out their part in the story in the ‘Assembly’, Step 3. You will need two older children, one younger one and seven others.
Assembly
- Explain to the children that the theme of today’s assembly is ‘Things aren’t always what they seem’.
- Ask for ten volunteers to act out today’s story. You will need two older children to play Samuel and Jesse, seven more children to play the parts of the older sons and one younger child to play David, the youngest son.
- When everyone is in place, start telling the story, pointing at each character as they are mentioned to prompt them to act out what you are describing.
The Story of Samuel and David
There was a man called Samuel (point at Samuel), who was sent by God to look for a new king of Israel.
Ask Samuel to stride from side to side and pretend to be looking around for something.
Samuel arrived at Jesse’s farm (introduce Samuel to Jesse) and Jesse was very worried (encourage Jesse to make a worried face). What did Samuel want? Samuel could tell that Jesse was scared, so he said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve come to invite you and your sons to a party, but first, I want to see them all.’
So, Jesse went to find his first son, Eliab, and showed him to Samuel.
Ask Jesse to walk with Eliab in front of Samuel.
Samuel shook his head. (Ask Samuel to act out the actions that you mention from now on.)
Then, Jesse found his second son, Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. (Do the same actions as for the first son.) Samuel shook his head.
Next, Jesse found Shammah and the same thing happened. (Do the same actions as for the second son.)
This happened with each of the seven brothers. (Ask each of the other four brothers to walk in front of Samuel in turn. Samuel should shake his head each time.) Not one of the boys was right. Samuel was very confused. God had brought him to this place, yet none of the sons seemed right, even though they were all big, strong and healthy.
Samuel asked Jesse whether he had any other sons. Jesse said, ‘Well, yes, but only David and he’s too small. He’s not very strong. He’s out looking after our sheep.’
Samuel wanted to see him anyway.
Call up the younger child who is playing the part of David and ask Jesse to act out presenting him to Samuel. Ask Samuel to give a thumbs-up and look as delighted as possible!
God told Samuel that David was the one. Even though David was the smallest, God had a special job for him to do – he was to be the future king of Israel!
David went on to be a great king, even though he didn’t look as though he could manage it at the beginning – especially compared to his big brothers. - When Samuel was trying to decide whether David was God’s choice for the future king, God told him, ‘Man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart.’
This meant that although David didn’t look like a king on the outside because he was so much younger and smaller than his brothers, God could see what David was really like on the inside. God could see that David had the qualities that were needed to make a great future king.
Time for reflection
Explain that Christians believe that God sees what we are like on the inside. He sees our potential and knows what we could become, rather than looking only at our outward appearance. With God, things aren’t always what they seem.
Ask the children to think of a time when they have changed their minds or been shocked about something. Maybe they had been given a book to read that they didn’t like the look of, but when they began to read it, they loved it! That’s why the saying goes, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’.
Ask the children to think of a time when something has surprised them. Maybe they became good friends with someone they didn’t like at first. Maybe they went on holiday to a place that they thought they wouldn’t like, but they loved it in the end.
Things aren’t always what they seem!
Prayer
Dear God,
We thank you for surprises in our lives.
Thank you that you look at our hearts rather than at our outward appearance.
Thank you that you see the potential in us.
Please help us to see potential in other people.
Please help us to be willing to give people a second chance.
Amen.
Song/music
‘You’ve got a friend in me’ from the film Toy Story, available at: https://youtu.be/DNZUKm0ApEM (2.08 minutes long)
