A "story table" option has been added to this lesson!  See Luanne's notes at the end.

Summary of Activity

To present a "Godly Play" -style version of the Bible story, "The Anointing of David the King."

Note: A "Godly Play" -style presentation is a retelling of the story through the use of a kit of props and scenery which are laid out in front of the children as the storyteller tells the story.

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 for the Rotation

See Bible Background.

Preparation

• Read Bible Background and scripture.
• Gather supplies.
• The teacher will need to create 7 different "character puppets" or person cut-out for this story presentation.  Write the following names -- Samuel, Jesse, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah and David on each of the cut-outs. The seventh "person" is God who is a major player in this story. God can be represented by a puppet or object of your own choosing.
• If using paper cut-outs, you can make a base stand using paperclips clipped to the cut-out and stuck in a ball of non-drying molding clay.
• Place the figures, the horn, and the sheep in the basket. Fold the felt and place it on top of the container.

Materials List

• Basket
• Modeling clay and paperclips to make a base for cut outs.
• 7 figure cut-outs or puppets: Samuel, Jesse, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, and David and one for God. Search online for free "bible cut out figure images."
• Green felt, approximately 30" x 30"
• Horn (Small to represent oil)

Sheep cut-outs open

Welcome the children and have them join you, the storyteller, sitting in a circle, storyteller is part of the circle.

Teacher Tips: The basket sits behind, the storyteller, somewhat out of sight.  Spoken words will be in quotes. Feel free to change these to fit your style, if necessary.

Storytelling Script

Do:  Take the green felt and hold it up.

Ask:  "I wonder what this could be?"

[Value all answers such as "Yes, it could be a blanket; it certainly looks warm." or "You know it does look like grass; grass is green."]

Do: Place the piece of green felt on the floor in front of you.

Next take out Samuel and place him in the right corner closest to you.

Say:  "Once there was a man named Samuel who was sent by God to the house of Jesse to find the son that God chose to be the next King."

Do:  In the far left corner place the sheep and David and in the left corner closest to you place Jesse and his seven sons. Move Samuel to Jesse.

Say:  "Samuel went to Jesse's house and invited Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice. They had to sanctify themselves which meant to clean themselves before going to the sacrifice."

Do:  Take Eliab to Samuel.

Say:  "First Eliab who was big and strong came to Samuel but God said, don't judge by appearances, he is not the one."

Do:  Take Abinadab to Samuel.

Say: "Second Abinadab came and God said, he is not the one."

Do:  Take Shammah to Samuel.

Say: "Third Shamah came and God said, he is not the one."

Do:  Take the other four sons, one by one, to Samuel.

Say: "The rest of the seven sons each came to Samuel, but God said No."

"Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more sons and he said only David who was keeping the sheep."

Do: Point to the sheep and David.

Say: "Samuel sent for David"

Do: Bring David across the field to Samuel.

Say: "When Samuel saw him, all dirty from the field, God said, he is my chosen one, he will be king. Samuel then anointed David with the special oil, which marked him as special to God."

Do:  Pretend to anoint David with the horn of oil.

Say: "Then Samuel went home and David had to wait to become King."

Now invite the children to REPEAT the story you just told them, using the props.

Now is the time for "I Wonder" questions such as:

• I wonder how David felt when he was chosen but had to wait to become King?
• I wonder how the most handsome, strongest brother Eliab felt when he was not chosen?
• I wonder how David felt being all dirty and probably stinking like sheep when he was chosen?
• I wonder if he was worried about leaving his sheep?
• I wonder if he was worried if he was "good enough" to be chosen by God?
• I wonder if he was worried about what his brothers and father would say?

Put the story back the way you got it out and return it to the shelf for further use during free time.

Written by: Sheila Butler with additions by Neil MacQueen

Copyright © 2015 by Rotation.org
Printed from https://www.rotation.org

Adaptation

God's Story Table

Added by:  Luanne Payne

If you want to take this idea a step further, and it works great with ALL ages - check out our "God's Story Table" where we retold David's story (which also included Goliath).

Note:  Music written and performed by "David Delgado" (used by permission with thanks!)

Unfortunately, I never wrote up any sort of lesson plan or notes when we I did this back in 2009.  Here are a few quick notes:

• Collect required props - as shown in video.
• Children take turns, being director, scene designer, camera operator, lighting, etc. for each scene.
• Tri-pod adds an element of a movie set.
• I took the digital pictures and put them into movie maker, adding text, and music, and made copies onto DVDs for all the kids.
  
  When we do this next time, I would import the pictures into Kid Pix 4 or the newer "3D" version software and have the students record their story text.  It just requires inexpensive computer microphones, the program allows you to record and save directly onto each picture, prior to creating your slide show. Then they would  create a slide show in Kid Pix adding sound effects.

For more details on creating your own see the rotation.org forum on  "God's Story Table" here.