For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Sad news reaches David: King Saul and his best friend Jonathan have died in battle. Watch what David does with his sadness.
Today's Story
A tired, dusty messenger came running to David with heavy news: King Saul and his son Jonathan had died in the great battle.
Now, you might think David would be happy. After all, Saul had chased him for years and tried to hurt him. But David wasn't happy at all. His heart broke.
David tore his clothes, the way people did long ago to show deep sadness. He cried. He didn't eat. He grieved for his dear friend Jonathan, and he grieved for Saul too — the very king who had been his enemy.
Then David did something beautiful. He wrote a sad, lovely song so that everyone would remember Saul and Jonathan. “How the mighty have fallen!” he sang. He told the people to remember the good and the brave parts of their king.
David had every reason to celebrate. Instead, he chose to honor and to mourn. His heart was big enough to be sad, even for someone who had been unkind to him.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- David felt sad even about Saul, who had been unkind to him. Why do you think David didn't celebrate?
- It's okay to feel sad. What helps you when you're feeling really sad?
- David wrote a song to remember the good in people. What is a good thing you'd want people to remember about someone you love?