The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 21

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

1 Samuel 21 · Grade 5

From Champion to Fugitive

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 21 shows David at a low point. Arriving alone at Nob, he deceived Ahimelech, claiming to be on secret business for the king. The priest, after confirming the young men were ceremonially clean, gave him the holy bread, the show bread that had been taken from before Yahweh. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to this event to show that the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:25-27).

A detail sets up later tragedy: Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen, was there that day. David also asked for a weapon and received the sword of Goliath, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. The symbol of his triumph had become the tool of a fugitive.

Fleeing to Achish king of Gath, David was recognized as the one of whom they sang, David his ten thousands. David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath. He feigned madness, scribbling on the gate doors and letting saliva run down his beard. Achish dismissed him. The man after God's own heart was learning, through fear and humiliation, to depend on God alone.

Show What You Know

  1. What did David claim at Nob?

  2. What does Jesus show by referring to this event?

  3. What detail sets up later tragedy?

  4. What was David learning through fear and humiliation?

Crossword

12354

Across

  1. David was very ____ of Achish (21:12).
  2. The priest gave him ____ bread (21:6).
  3. David asked for five ____ of bread (21:3).

Down

  1. The king of Gath (21:10)
  2. The town where David met Ahimelech (21:1)

Think About It

  1. How does David's low point encourage you when you feel weak or afraid?

  2. Why do you think the Bible shows David's mistakes honestly?

Memory Verse

“David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.”

1 Samuel 21:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for meeting my needs. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What can you learn from someone else's mistakes?
  • How do low points teach us to depend on God?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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.