For Parents To Teach To Their Children
Hello Parents. This is the last of the eleven Summer Art posts that I enjoyed doing. I want to point out that
this post on Young King David is especially for young children. However, older siblings can join in on the readings and art
projects. The Reading from USCCB.org is from the Gospel of Matthew:
Alleluia
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.”
Gospel
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.”
Meeting Young King David, the Warrior
“Only a Boy Named David“
“Only a boy named David, only a little sling,
only a boy named David, but he could pray and sing.
Only a boy named David, only a rippling brook,
only a boy named David, but five little stones he took.
And one little stone went in the sling,
and the sling went round and round.
And one little stone went in the sling,
and the sling went round and round,
and round and round and round and round,
and round and round and round.
And one little stone went up in the air,
and the giant came tumbling down.”
Our Art Gallery
Images from David and Goliath
The paintings here are based on the last two illustrations on the book below.
Our Readings for Children and Family
King David Fights Goliath
The children will see in the following stories of David and Goliath, “Everything is possible with God.” The story in the Old Testament is more gory than the story usually told to young children. Modern children often hear a sanitized version of the readings from 1 Samuel chapter 17 . In the Bible, Goliath loses not only the battle, dying instantly from David’s hurled rock, but also loses his head at the hands of the young David. The beheading, and David’s carrying the head about for proof are omitted in our “Children’s Bible.” In the version below, Goliath’s beheading is omitted. It is one of a series of lovely children’s book on Bible stories. The paintings here are based on the illustrations in this book.
David and Goliath By Katherine Scully, Illustrated By Simona Sanfillipo
Here is the story again, that includes the beheading. The Illustrated Bible for Little Ones by Janice Emmerson is a charming book with vibrant illustrations that is recommended for children five and younger. Here is an excerpt from the short story, “A Stone in a Sling” (1 Samuel 17): “When Goliath fell to the ground, David raced up and cut off the giant’s head with Goliath’s own sword! The Philistines were so shocked that they turned and ran away!”
The illustration of the ferocious-looking giant facing the small, young David will interest young kids. In my opinion, this is a case where “telling the whole story” is appropriate, and it is what is written in Scripture:
“Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will feed your dead body and the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God.”
I decided to leave out the part about “the birds and the beasts!” The kids were shocked and enthralled with the beheading of Goliath by David.
David and Goliath in the Bible from usccb.org
Children’s Art Projects
Since our Religious Education class has limited time and for painting, we’ll be decorating river rocks, at home, to remember the “five smooth stones” David uses for his sling. I bought my stones at a nursery/garden store. Feel free to draw, color, and paint “rocks.” Perhaps, children can also draw or paint the sling, sword, and crown on paper, wood, paper bag or cardboard instead of a rock. Our theme is “Everything is possible with God.” I think that could become a nice poster, too!
Supplies are shown below:
