Week 319 · about 45 minutes
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 13 · Memory verse 2 Samuel 13:33
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (2 Samuel 13), the matching word search and answer key (2 Samuel 13 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a key
Hold a key. Read 2 Samuel 13 in about four minutes, stopping at 2 Samuel 13:33: “Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with 2 Samuel 13?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
2 Samuel 13 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.” 2 Samuel 13 opens with these words: “After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.” The line to keep is 2 Samuel 13:33: “Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”” Carry the word “king” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is 2 Samuel 13:33: “Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in 2 Samuel 13? Then try this: Read “Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through 2 Samuel 13. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from 2 Samuel 13:33. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from 2 Samuel 13 and write 2 Samuel 13:33 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
2 Samuel 13:33
“Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for 2 Samuel 13. Help us remember 2 Samuel 13:33 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.