Psalm 57 - drama from the psalmsMartyn Payne |
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On your marks: A number of the psalms have their origins in real events, particularly many linked to the life of David. Why not tell the story behind one of these events and turn this into some simple drama, before you then read the psalm with the children. The stories are found in 1 and 2 Samuel. It is important to show that God is interested in all that happens to us and that every situation – even our most shameful moments – can be transformed through prayer.
This 'Getting Going' idea will work on the first of these. You will need some simple props: a middle eastern headscarf (a large red and white or black and white check tea towel will work); a shepherd’s staff (a long stick); a seat covered with a yellow sheet for Saul’s throne; a toy sheep; and some bamboo sticks to represent weapons carried by Saul’s soldiers. This is a piece of simple drama that will work with upward of 6 children, guided by a leader who acts as narrator. Use as many ideas as possible from the children as the drama progresses. Go! Psalm 57 David in the cave 1.Set the scene by introducing David – dressing up one child as a shepherd and talking about his work with the sheep. 2. Introduce King Saul, dressing another child appropriately and sitting the king on a throne; the rest all become members of Saul’s court initially but later some become David’s outlaw followers. Work out some simple dialogue together as King Saul gives his orders and the court flatters the King 3. Explain that King Saul is often moody (see 1 Samuel 16: 14-23) and act this out too with ad-lib reactions from the court. Only David’s skilful harp playing can calm the King. Play out this scene – emphasising the sudden peacefulness that overcomes the moody Saul. 4. Explain how David’s popularity grows, especially after the killing of Goliath. The whole court begins to chant for David, wanting him to be ruler, not Saul. Saul reacts accordingly, ordering his soldiers to ‘get David’. Freeze that moment. 5. Now act out a chase, where David and his followers go from hiding place to hiding place with Saul and soldiers in pursuit; each time they arrive just too late! Finally they settle in Wild Goat Rocks, hiding deep in a cave (beneath a table!?), while Saul and his men make camp at the foot of the rocks. David and his men are trapped, though Saul doesn’t know he is so close. 6. This is where David prays the prayer of Psalm 57. Here is version that a child or a group could read:
7. God’s answer comes in a strange way! Narrate the following storyline and encourage the children to act it out with appropriate reactions.
8. Talk through with the group how everyone in the story felt about what had happened. Why did David not seize his chance to get rid of Saul? What did Saul’s soldiers make of it all? What about David’s men? And Saul himself? Why did God answer David’s prayer in such an unexpected way? 9. Tell the group what eventually happened to Saul, as they will want to know. He did resume his hunt for David after a while but also grew increasingly tormented. He got involved with more and more evil that really messed with his head and in one battle against the country’s neighbours, he was killed along with his son in the thick of the fighting. David was crowned king. David had waited on God’s timing for this, refusing on more than one occasion to take the law into his own hands. |
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