Give Thanks to the LORD: David Brings Home the Ark
1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; 2 Samuel 6:12-19 Old Testament PrincipleWorship
King David wanted the ark of God, the sign of God's presence, to come to Jerusalem. The first time, they didn't carry it God's way, and it went badly. So David studied God's Word, and this time the Levites carried the ark on poles on their shoulders, just as God had said. All Israel brought it up with shouting, trumpets, harps and cymbals, and David danced with all his might. When the ark was home, David gave everyone food and gave the Levites a song of thanks to sing, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever." Worship is our glad, thankful answer to the God who comes to be with His people.
Worship is telling God how great He is with our whole hearts. We worship and thank God because He is good, His love never ends, and He comes to be with His people.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 BSB
Christ Connection · Picture
The ark was the place where God met His people, with a gold lid called the mercy seat. When Jesus came, God Himself "dwelt among us." The Bible even uses the word for the mercy seat to describe Jesus, because He is the place where God's mercy meets us. We worship and give thanks because God came close in Jesus.
John 1:14; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:3-5; Revelation 21:3
The Big Story · Redemption
God has always wanted to live with His people. The ark in Jerusalem was a picture of that, and in Jesus, God came to live among us in person. One day He will live with His people forever.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: The parade
- Dasch’s Dig Site (bible-times history): Carried on poles
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Give thanks!
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God is good! I will thank Him!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Parade for God, Color King David
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
King David wanted the ark of God, the sign that God was with His people, to come to Jerusalem. The first time, they didn't carry it God's way. So David checked God's Word, and this time the Levites carried the ark on poles. Everyone played music and shouted, and David danced with all his might. Then David gave the people a song – "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!" We worship and thank God because He is good and He is with us.
Memory verse
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love lasts forever.”
Adapted from 1 Chronicles 16:34
Start here
Ask, "If you could have a parade for anything, what would it be for?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today King David had a parade for God, and it was the best parade ever."
Bible story 6 min
King David loved God. He wanted the ark of God to come to his city, Jerusalem.
The ark was a gold box. It showed that God was with His people. The first time David tried to bring it, they put it on a cart. That was not God's way, and it went badly.
So David looked in God's Word. God said the Levites must carry the ark on poles on their shoulders. "This time we will do it God's way," David said.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
The ark parade 10 min
You’ll need: A shoebox, Two wooden dowels or paper-towel tubes, A small blue cloth or towel, Pots, pans and wooden spoons
- Four kids carry the "ark" on its poles. Everyone else plays pots and pans.
- Every six steps, stop and shout, "Give thanks to the LORD!"
- When you reach the "tent" (a corner of the room), say the memory verse together.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
King David wanted the ark of God, the sign of God's presence, in Jerusalem. After a first try that went badly, David checked God's Word and had the Levites carry the ark on poles, as God commanded. All Israel brought it up with shouting and music, and David danced with all his might. Then David appointed Levites to give thanks and praise, and gave them a song – "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever." Worship is a glad, thankful answer to the God who is with His people.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The song that kept going, Give thanks!
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
When David brought the ark of God to Jerusalem, he did it God's way, after a first attempt that ended in tragedy. The Levites carried it on poles, God helped them, and all Israel celebrated with music while David danced with all his might. Then David appointed Levites to "give thanks and praise the LORD" and gave them a psalm of thanksgiving whose refrain echoes through the rest of the Bible – "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever." Worship is glad, whole-hearted thanks to the God who comes to live among His people, and in Jesus He came in person.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The refrain through the Bible, My Psalm 136
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at church, online and on screens, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Worship
The same principle in other Bible stories.
In the BeginningGod Makes EverythingGenesis 1:1-2:3; Genesis 2:4-23God made everything, and everything He made shows how great and good He is.Old TestamentWorship
Mary and MarthaLuke 10:38-42Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and got busy making dinner. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him. When Martha complained, Jesus gently said that Mary had chosen the best thing. Being with Jesus matters most, so we make time to stop, listen and worship Him.New TestamentWorship
Palm Sunday: Jesus Rides into JerusalemMatthew 21:1-11; Matthew 21:14-16Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said the King would come. Crowds spread their cloaks and branches on the road and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Even children praised Him in the temple. Hosanna means "Save us!" That same week, Jesus saved us by dying on the cross and rising again. Jesus is the King who deserves our worship.New TestamentWorship
Jesus Shines Like the Sun: The TransfigurationMatthew 17:1-9; Luke 9:28-36Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. There, Jesus was changed. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. Peter wanted to build three shelters. But a bright cloud covered them, and God's voice said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" The disciples fell down in awe. When they looked up, they saw only Jesus. Jesus is God's Son, and we worship Him by listening to Him.New TestamentWorship
Seeing God's WorldEvery Square InchColossians 1:15-20; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 3:17, 23From prison, Paul wrote to the church in Colossae that Jesus made all things, holds all things together and is first in everything. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. There's no part of life that doesn't belong to Jesus, so everything we do can be worship.New TestamentWorship
Kings and ProphetsElijah on Mount Carmel1 Kings 18:1-2; 1 Kings 18:17-39On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and the LORD answered with fire from heaven, showing that He alone is the true God.Old TestamentWorship