Ask the priest or a member of the Altar Guild for some Holy Oil. Choose suitable
music for game. Write names for Jesse’s sons, including David, on cards or cut construction
paper. You will also need a paper crown, Holy Oil, something to play music on and CD or MP3
Player, and a picture of a horn of oil from a children’s Bible.
The Story: Some good words to know before we start:
• a horn of oil [show a picture from a children’s Bible, usually a hollowed ram’s horn]
• a sacrifice [something of value offered to the Lord such as new crops or an animal]
• anoint [to bless with oil]
• shepherd [person who takes care of flocks of sheep]
Some of you were babies when you were baptized. This is one of the things that happened.
Demonstrate the baptism rite calling each child by name, for example, ”Sally you are sealed by
the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.” The priest did this to you when
you were baptized. Let’s see how Samuel uses oil to make a king.
Samuel was a judge among the Israel tribes. That meant he traveled from town to town helping
the people worship God and settling their fights and problems. The people wanted a king like the
other countries around them. They thought it would make Israel seem more important. God made
Saul the first king. Saul was disobedient and let God down. God told Samuel to anoint a new
king that God will choose. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem to meet Jesse and his sons to
find the new king. Samuel tells Jesse and the town elders that he is there to offer a sacrifice to
God. Samuel invites them all to join him.
Each of Jesse’s sons passes in front of Samuel. Each time Samuel thinks this must be the one
God wants him to anoint king. Jesse’s sons are strong and handsome. After each son, God says to
Samuel, “No, this is not the one. You look at their appearance. I look into their hearts.” Seven of
Jesse’s sons passed in front of Samuel. Samuel asked Jesse “Is this it? Do you have any more
sons?” Jesse answered “Just my youngest son David. He is a shepherd out in the fields.” Samuel
said to send for him. When David arrived, he stood in front of Samuel. Then God said to Samuel,
“This is the one. Get up and anoint him.” Samuel took the oil from his horn and poured it on
David’s head. He did this with David’s father and brothers watching. As soon as he anointed him
the Spirit of the Lord came upon David and was with David from that day on.
Reflection Questions
• I wonder what Samuel thought of God’s choice? In our Bible stories when God wants to get
something done, God doesn’t always choose the oldest, or biggest, or most important or
experienced person. In fact God often chooses the person you would least expect. Can you
remember the part of the story that shows us that?
• Do you ever feel too young, or unimportant to do God’s work? Remember being anointed
with the Holy Oil? When you were baptized that oil not only marked you as Christ’s own but
tells you that from now on God’s Holy Spirit is with you, just like David. The Holy Spirit
will make you brave and smart to help do God’s work in the world.
Circle Game: God Chooses You
Make a circle. Choose a child to be Samuel. Start the music. Have the children walk clockwise.
”Samuel” walks around the circle counter clockwise. He taps someone on the shoulder and says,
“John, God chooses you to be his own.” John takes Samuel by the hand. The two walk around
the circle, and John chooses the next child and repeats the saying. This continues until the inner
circle has become the outer circle. It would be good to point out at the end that no one is outside
the circle of God’s love.
Drama: Samuel Anoints a King
Choose a child to be Samuel. The teacher, or a child who is a good reader, is Jesse. Jesse has a
set of six to seven cards with names on them. Jesse selects a child and walks him in front of
Samuel saying, “ Samuel, I present my son” [Jesse picks a name. It can be Biblical or other.] The
element of surprise comes from not knowing when Jesse will say “David.” After each other
name Samuel says, “No you are not the one. God does not choose by looks. God looks into the
heart.” When a child is called David, Samuel says, ”You are God’s chosen one.” He crowns the
child and makes believe he is pouring oil on his head. David says, “The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me.” This can be repeated so that many children get to be David.
Life Application: “Not Too Young To Help”
Remind the children that David was the youngest of the sons, just a young boy. Because the
children have been empowered by the Holy Spirit they are never too young to help God. This
means taking care of God’s world and God’s people. Depending on time and interest, the
children can pantomime, with the other children guessing something they can do to help God.
You might also choose to have them draw or just talk about this.
Closing: Have the children stand and stretch their arms up to the ceiling and then bow to the
teacher to say thank you, and then to one another, as a way of thanking one another for the time
together. Remind them to bring in their Lenten offerings
