Saul Anointed David (Copy)
(1 Samuel 16)
November 9th, 2025
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
In 1 Samuel 16, we come to a turning point in the storyline of God’s leadership over His people. What began with Samuel mourning for Saul’s rejection as king soon becomes a celebration of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His word in 1 Samuel 13:14:
“The LORD has found a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over his people.”
While the young David did not have the same impressive appearance as Saul, he had something greater: a heart that honored the Lord.
What was God trying to teach Samuel and His people by selecting David as the next ruler over Israel? How does this story lead us to consider the state of our own hearts?
Samuel had a front-row seat to God’s rejection of the impressive King Saul. Yet, as Samuel looked upon the older, stronger sons of Jesse, he didn’t seem to truly grasp what God was doing. By mere outward appearance, one might assume one of David’s older brothers to be next in line for the throne.
It would be David, however—the youngest son of Jesse—whom God would select as the next king of Israel. David was chosen, not because of his strength or stature, but because God saw his heart. As Psalm 147:11 reminds us:
"The LORD values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love."
Prepare to teach your children what it means to be someone after God’s own heart. Though David would not be a flawless leader, he would be faithful to trust in God, repent of his sin, and delight in God's words. Yet, one greater than David would come—Jesus Christ, the sinless King, who lived, died, and rose again to make righteous all who trust in Him for salvation.
Consider the state of your own heart—which only God can see. Thank God for the miraculous work of salvation He has done in your own life, as well as His desire to save those who will hear this story. Pray for the Lord to open your kids’ eyes to what He can do with ordinary people who believe in Him by faith.
** Next week: David Played for Saul (1 Samuel 16)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read the 1 Samuel 16 from the Bible.
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In 2016, a bidder at Sotheby’s auction paid $61,250 for a small piece of fungus! Before you think he was silly, this fungus was a European White Truffle, a rare delicacy. Chefs from around the world crave truffles to use in their recipes. Even though it’s a fungus that grows in the dirt, it has been set apart as one of the most treasured foods in the world.
If you stumbled across a truffle in the wild, you might not even know what it is. It doesn’t look like something that could sell for thousands of dollars. Much like truffles, it can be hard to judge people just by looking at the outside. When God told Samuel to find the next king of Israel, it would’ve been easy to look for the strongest warrior, wisest teacher, or most handsome prince. Instead, God chose David, a shepherd boy who was the youngest of his family. David didn’t look like the obvious choice for king, but God saw beyond his appearance and treasured David as the king He wanted. Much later, God would send another king that looked different than what the people expected. His name is Jesus, and He is the King above all kings! David did not look like a king on the outside, but God saw his heart and chose him to be the next ruler. Jesus looked like an ordinary man to the people around Him, but He is God’s Son and the Savior of the world.
Pray: God, we praise You because You are wise. You give purpose and value to those the world might overlook. We praise You for seeing beyond what we can see and using all things for Your glory. Amen.
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Preschool:
The Lord has set up his throne in heaven. His kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19 NIrV
Older Kids:
The Lord has set up his throne in heaven. His kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19 NIrV
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Mornings
Ask God to help you not judge people by their looks, intelligence, or popularity. Ask God to help you see people they way He sees them and to love them the way He wants you to love them. How does God view people differently than the world? How does being made in the image of God give all people value?
Evenings
Praise God for using the unlikely and unexpected to accomplish His plans and bring glory to Himself! How was Jesus a different type of king than what people expected? How might God want to use you and your friends to bring Him glory?
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For Fun
Take a trip to the grocery store and pick out fruit together that looks delicious. While you enjoy your fruit, discuss how we can usually tell if fruit will be good on the inside by how it looks on the outside. It is different, however, with people; we can’t tell what people’s hearts are like by only looking at their appearance. Only God knows everyone’s heart.
To Serve
Ask your church staff for a list of families with children who attend a preschool or younger elementary class at your church. Send a card to each child with a note that encourages them to love Jesus and serve Him. Remind them that God can use them for His glory even as young children.