Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 46 “Saul and Jonathan”
Featured Passage: 1 Samuel 13 – 15
When Saul first became king, he was humble, and God was with him. But as the years went by, he began to make bad decisions because he wasn’t trusting God. Saul had a son named Jonathan who, unlike his father, was faithful to God. At the time, Israel was at war with the Philistines. Compared to the Israelites, the Philistines had a much stronger army and had better weapons for fighting. This made King Saul and his army very nervous – so nervous that Saul didn’t follow God’s directions, which got him into trouble. On the other hand, his son Jonathan decided to boldly put his trust in God and courageously take action against the enemies of Israel, knowing that in the end, it is God who does the fighting.
Discuss:
- King Saul was supposed to wait for Samuel to come to give the special offering to God at Gilgal. Why didn’t he wait for Samuel? Why was Samuel angry with Saul? What should have King Saul done?
- Why do you think Jonathan didn’t tell his father that he was going to the Philistine garrison? Why do you think he only took his armorbearer with him? What was the job of an armorbearer?
- How did Jonathan know God was with him when he went to attack the Philistines? What were the results of Jonathan’s faith? What are some things that can happen when we trust in God?
- Even after Israel’s victory due to Jonathan’s trust in God, Saul made some more bad decisions. What were some of those decisions?
- Due to King Saul’s poor choices, God decided it was time for Him to choose a new king. Why did God want a new king for Israel?
Memory Challenge:
1 Samuel 13:14
“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
