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Ages 4+ · Bible Stories · Rescuers and leaders
David the shepherd boy
🐑sheep🏺oil🎵a harp🦁a lion🐻a bear
David the shepherd boy.
The big ideaThe Bible tells us God chose David the shepherd boy because of his heart.

How it works

The Bible tells us God told Samuel to go to Jesse's house, because God had chosen one of Jesse's sons to be king.

The older sons walked by, but God had not chosen them. People see what is outside, but God sees what is in the heart.

David, the youngest, was out with the sheep. Samuel poured oil on his head.

David played his harp for King Saul, and the king felt calm.

Samuel goesto Jesse'shouseThe oldersons walkbyDavid comesin from thesheepSamuelpours theoilDavid playsthe harp
The story in a row.

Example 1: The heart matters

  1. Samuel looked at the oldest son, tall and strong.
  2. God said not to look at how tall he was.
  3. People see what is outside, but God sees what is in the heart.

Example 2: A shepherd looks after

  1. David looked after his sheep.
  2. When a lion came near, he stood up, and the sheep were safe.
  3. Another time a bear came near, and David kept watch over his sheep.

Example 3: Soft music

  1. Play soft, gentle music together.
  2. Soft harp music helped King Saul feel calm.
  3. A loud drum did not calm the king. Soft music did.

Words to know

shepherd
A person who looks after sheep.
harp
An instrument with strings. David played it softly.
oil
In those days, oil poured on a head showed someone was chosen.
Bethlehem
The little town near where the story happened.

Watch out

Try it

  1. Where was David when Samuel came?
  2. Who poured the oil on David's head?
  3. What did David play for the king?
  4. What does God look at, in the story?
Answers: 1. With the sheep · 2. Samuel · 3. A harp · 4. The heart
Try at homeWith a grown-up, think of something you can look after, like a pet, a plant or a toy, and say how you will take care of it today.
For grown-upsAsk your child what David looked after, then what they can look after today, like a pet, a plant or a toy.
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