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1 Samuel 23 · Grade 5

Strength in God

Name Date

Read and Think

David's actions in chapter 23 contrast sharply with Saul's. David, though hunted, used his men to rescue an Israelite town from Philistine raiders, while the king was busy hunting his own servant. David inquired of Yahweh again and again, through the ephod Abiathar had brought. Saul, on the other hand, interpreted events to suit himself, claiming that God had delivered David into his hand.

Human loyalty proved fragile. The men of Keilah would have surrendered their rescuer, and the Ziphites volunteered to deliver David to Saul. Saul even blessed the Ziphites in Yahweh's name for their compassion on him. Yet the narrator gives the decisive truth: Saul sought him every day, but God didn't deliver him into his hand.

In the midst of this, Jonathan arose and went to David into the woods, and strengthened his hand in God. He did not merely cheer David up; he pointed him to God's promise. You will be king over Israel, he said, and I will be next to you. When Saul's trap was nearly closed at the mountain, a messenger diverted him. That place, Sela Hammahlekoth, stood as a reminder that God protects His anointed.

Show What You Know

  1. How did Saul interpret events?

  2. What did Saul do for the Ziphites?

  3. How did Jonathan strengthen David?

  4. What did Sela Hammahlekoth stand as a reminder of?

Crossword

31254

Across

  1. Abiathar came with an ____ in his hand (23:6).
  2. The wilderness where David stayed (23:14)

Down

  1. The city David saved from the Philistines (23:5)
  2. Jonathan went to David into the ____ (23:16).
  3. Jonathan said, you will be ____ over Israel (23:17).

Think About It

  1. How is pointing a friend to God's promises different from just cheering them up?

  2. Where have you seen God protect you just in time?

Memory Verse

“Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David into the woods, and strengthened his hand in God.”

1 Samuel 23:16 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for friends who point me to you. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you ask God for guidance before each choice?
  • How did God guard David when people betrayed him?
  • 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.