For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Even kings do wrong sometimes. Today a brave prophet helps King David see his mistake — with a story about a little lamb.
Today's Story
King David had done something very wrong. And worse, he was trying to pretend he hadn't. So God sent a brave prophet named Nathan to talk to him.
Nathan didn't start by pointing a finger. He told a story. “There were two men. One was rich, with huge flocks of sheep. The other was poor, with just one little lamb that he loved like a family pet. It slept in his arms. But the rich man took the poor man's only little lamb.”
David jumped up, angry. “That's terrible! The man who did that was wrong!”
Nathan looked David right in the eyes. “You are that man,” he said quietly.
And suddenly David saw it. The story was about him. His face fell. He could have made excuses. He could have gotten angry at Nathan. Instead, David said four honest words: “I have sinned against the LORD.”
And do you know what Nathan said back? “The LORD has taken away your sin.” The moment David stopped hiding and told the truth, God forgave him. Saying sorry opened the door.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- David could have made excuses, but he told the truth instead. Why is it so hard sometimes to say “I'm sorry”?
- The very moment David said sorry, God forgave him. How does it feel to be forgiven?
- Nathan was brave to tell the king the truth, gently. When might you need to be brave and honest with someone?