The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 13

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

1 Samuel 13 · Grade 4

Fear Instead of Faith

Name Date

Read and Think

Saul's army had shrunk to six hundred men. The Philistines had a vast army, and Israel's men hid in caves and pits. The Philistines even controlled metalwork, so Israelites had to go to them to sharpen their tools. Israel had few weapons.

Samuel had told Saul to wait at Gilgal seven days. On the seventh day, with Samuel not yet there and the people slipping away, Saul offered the burnt offering himself. He trusted the ritual more than the word of the Lord through His prophet.

Samuel arrived as Saul finished. Saul made excuses: the people were scattering, Samuel was late, and the Philistines were gathering. Samuel said Saul had acted foolishly. Because he did not keep the Lord's commandment, his kingdom would not continue. The Lord had found a man after His own heart.

Show What You Know

  1. How did the Philistines control Israel's tools?

  2. What did Saul trust more than the word of the Lord?

  3. What excuses did Saul give?

  4. What kind of man had the Lord found?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

heartfoolishlyofferingSaul
  1. Samuel had told to wait at Gilgal seven days.
  2. On the seventh day, with Samuel not yet there and the people slipping away, Saul offered the burnt himself.
  3. Samuel said Saul had acted .
  4. The Lord had found a man after His own .

Think About It

  1. When is it hardest for you to wait on God?

  2. Saul made excuses instead of admitting he was wrong. Why is it hard to admit when we are wrong?

Memory Verse

Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you; for now Yahweh would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.

1 Samuel 13:13 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for helping me wait. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How did fear lead Saul to disobey?
  • What does a heart after God look like?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.