The story of David and Mephibosheth is one of my favorite Bible lessons on loyalty and kindness. You can find it in 2 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 9, 2 Samuel 19:24-30, and 2 Samuel 21:1-7.
Here’s a quick retelling for your class:
King David fought many wars to protect God’s people. But when peace came, David liked to remember his best friend Jonathan and all the good times they shared as young men.
David had promised Jonathan he would always take care of any children Jonathan might have.
Jonathan did have a son — Mephibosheth. As a young boy, Mephibosheth had an accident that hurt his legs, and he could no longer walk.
When King David learned that Jonathan had a son, he kept his promise. He brought Mephibosheth to live in the palace and invited him to eat at the king’s own table, with all the wonderful food a king would enjoy. Mephibosheth was overjoyed and thankful that the king would care for him all his days.
David gave his best to Jonathan’s son out of love for his friend. God wants our little ones to learn that same kind of generous, cheerful giving. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV) says it well:
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Watch it come to life:
Some years ago I filmed a new video of myself dressed as Mephibosheth, sitting down to a meal at King David’s table. It’s a fun way to introduce this story to your class — perfect for ages 4-7.
Play “What Can I Give Mephibosheth?” — Two Ways to Play
Classic Version (Preschool)
Prepare several laminated picture sets of food — 6 glasses of milk, 6 apples, 6 pieces of bread, 6 carrots, 6 chicken legs, and 6 pieces of cake work well. Display them where children can see them. Dress up as Mephibosheth (a crutch is a fun touch!) and retell the story above. Then invite a child to bring “Mephibosheth” a specific number of one food — for example: “David said I could have 4 carrots. Could you bring me 4 carrots, please? And remember, God loves a cheerful giver.” The child counts out and delivers the food, with plenty of “thank yous” in between. Rotate through children and foods until everyone has had a turn.
Video Version (Ages 4-7)
In the video, Mephibosheth’s “menu” is simplified to three foods — fish, carrots, and dessert — with the children counting along as each dish is served: 3 fish, 4 carrots, and 2 desserts. This shorter version works well if you’re short on prep time or want a quick, engaging counting activity to pair with the video.
Either way you play it, the heart of the lesson stays the same: David gave generously and cheerfully to Mephibosheth, and God wants us to do the same.
Script From the Video
Use this if you want to read Mephibosheth’s part yourself, in costume, in front of your class.
[Enter as Mephibosheth, using a crutch if possible]
“Hello, my friends! I am Mephibosheth, son of Prince Jonathan. His father was King Saul. And now I get to live in the palace of King David!
Oh, King David is living out the Golden Rule, because his friend Jonathan showed love and care to him. King David is showing that same love and care to my father — and now to me.
You see, my friends, I cannot walk. So King David has asked me to come live in his palace, and I get to eat at his table! We all get to eat from golden plates, and I am very hungry today.
Would you please help me put food on my plate? I wonder what’s on the menu today. I’m hoping there’s some fish… let’s see — there is! There are three fish. I’m so hungry, I want all three! Can you count them with me? One, two, three fish! These are going to be tasty.
[Pause for children to count along]
Now I need some vegetables. I hope there are carrots on the table. Look — there are four carrots! I could eat them all. Count them with me: one, two, three, four carrots! This will be a delicious dinner.
[Pause for children to count along]
Every dinner should have a wonderful dessert, and I’m so hungry there might be more than one! There are two desserts. Let me put them on my plate. Everybody count with me: one, two — two desserts!
[Pause for children to count along]
Oh, my goodness. I am so thankful for King David living out the Golden Rule. I get to be the one who is loved and cared for by him. But never forget — God is the One who loves and cares for us all. I hope you’ll live out the Golden Rule too, just like God wants, and just like King David showed to me.
Goodbye, my friends!”
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"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7
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This has always been one of my favorite stories to act out — there’s something about handing a child a few carrots to ‘give’ to Mephibosheth that makes cheerful giving click in a way words alone never could. Now that I’ve got the video to go along with it, I can’t wait to hear how your class responds!