By the reactions we get in this story, the famous dance of David, in his skimpy linen slip, was much more a “dad dance” than anything technically stunning: but, partly, that is the point. The dance is an out flowing of joy, and this craft captures that simply.
David has finally become king, he’s leading his new army with the crown on his head to the city of Jerusalem, intent on making it his home base. These games tie into different parts of the story, David’s crown as king, the crawling through the water shaft and the strategic position of Jerusalem.
The aim of this game is to get your ‘king’ (ideally a piece from a board game) higher than anyone else’s. Give each student the same number of “building blocks” and a time limit of 1 minute. Building blocks can be anything, not just blocks! (piece of paper, cup, sticky tape…) Link: David was king of his new capital city.
Pin the crown
All Ages
Small group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
This “Pin the tail on the donkey” spin off sees kids pin the crown on David’s head… or not! All you need for this game is to draw a picture of David’s head and a crown shape with some sticky tape on it! Link: David was finally king
Through the hoop
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Kids link hands, and a hula-hoop is given to the person at one end, who then must pass it down the line without the kids’ hands letting go of their neighbour. Link: David’s troops climbing through the tunnels.
Obstacle course
All Ages
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
The journey through that water-shaft can’t have been easy, or the Jesubites would have considered it to be a weakness. Similarly, get your kids to squeeze through spaces by setting up a classic obstacle course with whatever you have on hand. Link: David’s troops climbing through the tunnels.
Battle ships
Ages 7+
Any size group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
If you have access to this game to play as a group on the big screen, it’s a great one to think about why Link: David was strategic in choosing Jerusalem.
Here are the images you need for the hero’s attributes linked to ‘David’s City (2 Samuel 5)’- where David is made king and then climbs the water shaft to take the city of Jerusalem.
Each hero set contains a high quality graphic of the character, a take home bible card and a colouring page.
The images are displayed small here, click on the image you wish to have, then save the image that loads. (These images are not copyright free, they are for personal/classroom use only.)
Large image for illustrating the story or putting on a large screen.
In this sessions’ story, David climbs the water shaft with his men to attack the city. This climbing David craft uses a loop of string or ribbon to raise our David up the water shaft!
David’s story is truly a saga. That young teen or boy that was called in from tending sheep to be anointed by Israel’s holy prophet, is now a thirty-year-old man in his prime. Anointed now as King, David recognises the squabbling between the tribes and knows he must unite them. Dwelling within anyone would lead to issues, and so he seeks a central place, controlled by none and yet flanked by Israelite’s — the stronghold of the Jebusites is perfect.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Main Passage : 2 Samuel 5 Other passages : 1 Samuel 15 + 17.
Saul had died. It was the time God had been preparing David for since Samuel had come to his house many years before. It was time for David to be King.
The leaders of the tribes of Israel met David at Hebron. They made speeches. They praised the things David did. They talked about how, even when Saul was alive, it was David that they followed. They knew the Lord had called David to be a shepherd to the Israelite people, to guide them and fight for them. Then they took oil, just like the oil that had once anointed David king-in-waiting, but this time the oil would anoint him KING!
David looked at his army, men from different tribes, men who wanted something to unite them. He would unite them today, but he needed a place too. Somewhere in the middle of all the tribes. Somewhere he could build a city rule from. He knew just the place.
David led his men, the smell of the oil still on his forehead, to the city of the Jebusites. Their city was strong. It was on a hill with a big wall all the way around. The wall was thick and strong, and many armies had failed to get through. To the north, the tribe of Benjamin lived and to the south, the tribe of Judah, but neither claimed this city for they could not take it. It was perfect for David’s capital, but the Jebusites didn’t think so.
“You can’t take our city!” they jeered as they saw David’s army coming. “This city is so strong that even if we only let the blind and lame fight they would still defeat you!” they laughed. But David had been laughed at before. David was the boy who faced Goliath, not by his strength but by God’s. He knew there was a way to defeat this city. Soon he discovered it. Under the city, there were tunnels that were used for water. If the water could get out, then David could get in! David returned to his generals to let them into the plan. “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who despise David.” He told them, a smile playing on his lips.
Once the army got inside the city, their feet wet and hands dirty from climbing, the victory was easy. David threw out the Jebusites and built himself a new palace there. He set apart a place for the Ark of God to live and would eventually make plans for a temple to be built. He renamed his part of the city “the city of David;” the rest of the city was called Jerusalem. David became the most beloved king the Israelites ever had.
