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Old Testament · 1 Samuel 16:1-13

David Is Anointed King

The LORD sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king, because the LORD has rejected Saul. Samuel sees Jesse’s older sons, but the LORD chooses none of them. David, the youngest, is brought in from tending the sheep. The LORD tells Samuel that David is the chosen one, and Samuel anoints him among his brothers. The LORD’s Spirit comes powerfully upon David from that day onward.

Coloring pages: 5Age/complexity: Explore (ages 3–5) · Imagine (ages 6–8) · Discover (ages 9–12)

Lesson resource collection

Color the story, one scene at a time.

Choose individual pages for your group, or print a coordinated story sheet when one is available.

Print David Is Anointed King: 4-Scene Story Sheet

Samuel anointing David among his brothers at Jesse’s house with oil from a horn, based on 1 Samuel 16:13.

Samuel Anoints David

1 Samuel 16:1-13

David arrives at Jesse’s house from tending sheep while Samuel asks Jesse to bring him in, based on 1 Samuel 16:11–12.

David Comes in from Tending Sheep

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel looks thoughtfully at Eliab in Jesse’s house while Jesse is present, illustrating that people notice outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart.

God Looks at the Heart

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel and Jesse with Jesse’s sons as the sons are presented one by one in 1 Samuel 16:8-10.

Jesse Presents His Sons

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel meets Bethlehem’s elders and invites Jesse and his sons to a peaceful sacrifice to the LORD, based on 1 Samuel 16:4-5.

Samuel Comes Peacefully to Bethlehem

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Scripture reference

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Use this reference as you prepare and read the account with your class.

Talk together

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