For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
King Saul is about to learn that waiting for God is part of trusting God - and waiting can be the hardest thing of all.
Today's Story
A huge enemy army was gathering - so many soldiers they were like sand on the seashore. Saul's men were scared. Some of them started to slip away and hide.
The prophet Samuel had told Saul exactly what to do: Wait for me. I will come and we will ask God together. Just wait seven days.
So Saul waited. One day. Two days. The army got smaller. Five days. Six. Saul's hands felt sweaty. Where is Samuel? What if he doesn't come? What if the enemy attacks first?
On the seventh day, Saul couldn't stand it anymore. He decided to do the special offering to God all by himself, the way only Samuel was supposed to.
He had just finished when - there was Samuel, walking up the road. Right on time.
“What have you done?” Samuel asked sadly. Saul had panicked instead of trusting. He had only needed to wait a few more minutes. Samuel told him gently that God was looking for a different kind of leader - someone whose heart would trust Him all the way.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- What is something you find really hard to wait for? What happens inside you while you wait?
- Saul got scared and stopped trusting God. What helps you stay calm when you feel worried?
- God wanted a leader whose heart would trust Him all the way. What does it look like to trust God even when it's hard?