Rotation.org Writing Team

Anointing of David

Video / Audio Visual Workshop

Summary: 

Students will watch the opening portion of the movie, King David, (Richard Gere/Paramount). For reflection they will illustrate an attached "film transparency" handout about “having a heart for God.” (See addition video suggestions at the end of this lesson.)

Scripture

Passage: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Key/Memory Verse: “For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (NRSV)

Objectives

See Bible Background.

Preparation

• Read Bible Background and scripture.
• Print attached handout 1Sam16.pdf onto "Transparency sheets" through the church copier to be used for the reflection (need 1 per child)

Materials List

• Transparency sheets
• Permanent ink markers (Such as Sharpies)
• Bibles
• a small amount of fragrant oil (such as suntan oil)
• DVD player & TV/projector
• Video: King David with Richard Gere (Paramount Pictures, 1985)

Lesson Plan

Open

Welcome your students and introduce the lesson by asking students to come forward one-at-a-time. When they approach you, look them over quizzically and say "no" not this one. Finally, look one in the eyes for a long time, and say, "yes, this one!"  Then without explanation, dab a bit of fragrant oil on their forehead and pronounce that they are the future "King (or Queen) of the class!"  

Ask them if they know what story you just re-enacted.  (In the first week or two of the rotation, they may not know.)

Ask them "what was the oil on the forehead about?"  

(Explain that it was anointing oil. "Anointing" was the way they signified someone was special in the Bible. This was also the way they "appointed" the next kings. The oil sign that they had been chosen by God. In fact, the word "Messiah" means, "one who smells pleasing to God.")

Say that, in fact, we have all been chosen by God to be his children, and give each a dab on their foreheads. But then mention that "some are chosen for special jobs in the Kingdom" and God looks extra-deep into their heart to see if you or I, or someone like young David is the right choice, the person with "the right stuff."

(Note: You will look at the scripture after the movie to compare it to what you saw on screen.)

Show the Movie: King David

(a clip that lasts about 24 minutes)

Use the following outline to cue up the movie, know what to skip and where to pause. 

About the King David movie

King David (1985, Paramount) is one of the best Bible movies ever made. It stays very close to the scripture and has little "Hollywood" (off-scripture) sub-plots. It has some violence in it (as does the biblical story), especially right at the beginning (Samuel kills the Amalekite king), but this outline will help you skip that.  The movie stars Richard Gere as David, but he doesn't show up in the movie until David is grown -at the very end of this lesson's video clip. (I heartily recommend the rest of the movie for teens and adults).

You will skip the first few minutes of the movie, and start it immediately after Samuel beheads the Amorite king.  

You will need to explain ahead of time who the kids will see on screen. Saul has the crown, Samuel is in the white robe. Samuel is upset that Saul has not done what he was told (again), and Samuel begins by announcing that God wants another king, a man after his own heart.

Movie Outline

(1) Start the video IMMEDIATELY AFTER Samuel holds up the head of the Amalekite king (about the 4 minute mark). See Saul grasping at Samuel, tearing his cloak, and Samuel very quickly saying, "God needs a new king, a man after his own heart."  (You may skip this opening for younger grades.)

Why did Saul fall out of favor with Samuel? (Because he didn't listen to God.)

(2) Opening Credits

(3)  The Lord said to Samuel...go to Jesse. (About the 7 minute mark)
Jesse presents his sons.  Samuel has "stones" in his hand not found in scripture, but the scripture/quotes are on target.  Explain that the 'stones' are not in the story.

(4) David arrives (about the 9 minute mark). 
We see him anointed by Samuel. "My brothers are all soldiers, why not choose one of them?"  (Samuel explains God's choice. Samuel predicts David's future.)

The next few scenes are important in the lesson in that they reveal the heart of David that would propel him to fame and favor.

(5) King Saul's camp. (About the 11 minute mark)  
Pause here and explain that King Saul is waiting for Samuel to come bless the battle that it about to take place. You may also point out that Jonathan, the king's son is there as some of your students may know about him. He will become David's best friend.  At about the 13 minute mark, a messenger arrives to announce Samuel is dead, and Nathan (Samuel's second in command) will come.

(6) David the Shepherd meets Jonathan (About the 13 minute mark).  Jonathan brings David to the camp of Saul, where we briefly see David meeting his brothers who are there to fight with Saul. David plays his harp for a troubled Saul, singing Psalm 23!  

Ask the kids if they recognize the song.

(7) Young David hears the Philistines Challenge Israel's God. (About the 18 minute mark) You're now heading into the David and Goliath story but that's okay because it explains David's heart. We hear him singing Psalm 23 (for thou art with me...) as he goes to challenge Goliath. This ends at about the 23 minute mark, and you are done viewing the video.  (The beheading of Goliath is thankfully short and only suggested. We see the Philistines run away, and hear Saul and Jonathan say two good things about David:

Saul: It takes a shepherd boy to wipe out our disgrace

Jonathan: He's given us back our pride.

Stop the Video at about the 25 minute mark, --after we hear the crowds chant, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (which is scripture)  Leading up to this scene we hear the narrator explain how David grew up in God's favor, and we see David arriving in Jerusalem to a parade which looks a lot like Palm Sunday!  (This is also the first time we see Richard Gere as David.)

Ask: What did you learn about David that made him God's choice to be the next king?   (he trusted and worshiped God, he was fearless, he stood up for his God in the face of others insults)

Ask: What did Saul and Jonathan say about young David?

Ask: If you were Saul, what would you be thinking about David? (jealousy!)  You might mention that indeed Saul would try to kill David, but to David's credit, he did not go against Saul, instead, he respected Saul as God's first choice to be king, and waited for Saul to die (in battle). Jonathan also died in battle, which meant David could become the new king. David was not power-hungry or greedy.

Compare Scripture to the Movie

Pass out Bibles and split into two groups with this "5 minute" assignment:  Read 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 and start of list of things from the scripture reading that were "IN" and "NOT IN" the movie. (Note to the teacher: There was plenty in the movie that is not in this particular reading. These comparisons are merely to get them to read, think about, and remember the text.)

Ask:  What did Samuel have in the movie that is not in the scripture?  (The answer is the stones the glowed. That was a dramatic invention in the movie. In the scripture, God speaks directly to Samuel!)

Ask: When we pick leaders in our church, how do we do it? (magic stones would be easier, wouldn't it be!)

Ask: Do you think what's in your hearts is only important if you want to be a Leader? (No, God wants us all to be a "person after God's own heart," whether we are leading or following.)

Say: What's most important to remember is that God is always looking into our hearts and wants to find a heart that's faithful and ready to serve him in whatever we do, as leaders or followers, Kings or servants. This final reflection will help us think about that.

"Film" Reflection 

Students will reflect on "What Samuel was looking for," "What others thought of David," What God saw in David's heart," and "What God is looking for in our hearts." by completing and illustrating the attached "filmstrip" handout.

It is recommended that you print the handout on clear "transparency" sheets so that they can go home and be taped to a window as a stained-glass reminder. Alternately, print on paper and complete.

See the attached 1Sam16.pdf 

Close with a prayer that God's light would shine through us, -revealing a heart worthy of being chosen by God to do great things in his Kingdom.

Additional Suggestions

Adaptations - younger children: you could use the short segment from the David & Goliath Nest Entertainment video. (See below.)

Written by: Neil MacQueen for the Rotation.org Writing Team

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