Skit | Power of Music | Saul and David
Lesson Overview
Have you ever heard a song that stayed in your head long after the music stopped? In this Bible skit, Jenny faces pressure from classmates to listen to music she doesn’t feel comfortable hearing. Although she initially refuses, she later chooses to play the music at home and tries to hide her decision from her mother.
When Jenny becomes troubled by what she has been listening to, Mom shares the Bible account of David playing music for King Saul. Through the story, Jenny learns that the words and messages we repeatedly listen to can influence our thoughts and that worship can help direct our attention toward God.
Main Point: We should choose carefully what we listen to because the messages we repeatedly hear can influence our thoughts and attitudes. Music that honors God can help us direct our attention toward Him.
Bible Connection
1 Samuel 16:23: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Cast and Supplies
- Jenny: A student learning to make wise choices about music
- Mom: Jenny’s mother, who explains the Bible lesson
- Classmates: Two or more students who discuss their favorite music
- Saul: King of Israel, who becomes troubled
- David: Young musician who plays for Saul
- Chairs
- Headphones
- Phone prop
- Robe and crown for Saul
- Pretend harp or simple musical instrument
- Short original or properly authorized music cues
- Bible
Preparation
Prepare two acting areas. One represents Jenny’s school and home, while the other represents King Saul’s court.
Use a chair, robe, and crown to establish Saul’s throne. Place a pretend harp or simple instrument nearby for David.
Actors may play multiple roles if enough time is allowed for costume changes.
Rehearse all music cues so they begin and end at the appropriate moments. Use only original or authorized music at a comfortable volume. The audience should understand the story without needing to hear distracting lyrics.
Keep Jenny’s frightening experience brief and age appropriate. The scene illustrates her concerns and choices, not a claim that a particular musical genre causes nightmares or spiritual harm.
Skit Script
Jenny enters with several classmates. They are talking about music.
Classmate 1: HEY, HAVE YOU HEARD THAT NEW SONG EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT?
Classmate 2: OH, YEAH! I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO IT ALL WEEK!
Jenny: WHAT SONG?
Classmate 1: HERE, LET ME PLAY IT FOR YOU!
The classmate pretends to start music on a phone. Play a brief authorized music cue.
Jenny: UM, I DON’T THINK I WANT TO LISTEN TO THAT.
Classmate 2: COME ON, JENNY! EVERYBODY LISTENS TO THIS!
Jenny: I KNOW, BUT I DON’T REALLY LIKE WHAT IT’S SAYING.
Classmate 1: IT’S JUST A SONG!
Jenny: MAYBE, BUT I STILL DON’T WANT TO LISTEN TO IT.
Scene 2: The Pressure Continues
Classmate 2: YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE MISSING!
Jenny: I’M OKAY WITH THAT.
Classmate 1: WELL, WE’RE GOING TO LISTEN ANYWAY.
The classmates pretend to continue listening while Jenny steps aside.
Jenny: I WISH THEY’D UNDERSTAND THAT I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.
The school scene ends.
The Song Gets Stuck
Jenny enters again later at school.
Jenny: YOU KNOW WHAT’S REALLY ANNOYING? THAT SONG IS STILL STUCK IN MY HEAD!
Classmate 1: SEE? I TOLD YOU IT WAS CATCHY!
Jenny: THAT DOESN’T MEAN I WANT TO KEEP LISTENING TO IT!
Classmate 2: THEN LISTEN TO SOMETHING ELSE!
Jenny: THAT’S ACTUALLY A GOOD IDEA. AND I’D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU DIDN’T PLAY THAT SONG AROUND ME.
Classmate 1: ALL RIGHT. WE CAN PICK SOMETHING ELSE.
Jenny Gets Home
Move to the home setting. Jenny enters carrying her phone and headphones.
Jenny: FINALLY, I’M HOME!
Jenny sits down.
Jenny: THAT SONG HAS BEEN IN MY HEAD ALL DAY.
Jenny: I WONDER WHAT THE REST OF IT SOUNDS LIKE.
Jenny hesitates, then pretends to play the song on her phone.
Jenny: I’LL JUST LISTEN FOR A LITTLE BIT.
Mom enters while Jenny is listening.
Mom: HI, JENNY! WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Jenny: OH! NOTHING!
Jenny quickly changes the music.
Mom: NOTHING? IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU WERE LISTENING TO SOMETHING.
Jenny: JUST SOME MUSIC.
Mom: ALL RIGHT. JUST REMEMBER TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO LISTEN TO.
Jenny: OKAY, MOM.
Mom exits. Jenny looks at her phone.
Jenny: I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE JUST TOLD HER THE TRUTH.
Jenny lies down to sleep. Keep the lighting and sound effects gentle.
Jenny: I HOPE I CAN GET THAT SONG OUT OF MY HEAD.
After a brief pause, Jenny sits up, startled.
Jenny: MOM! MOM!
Mom enters.
Mom: JENNY, WHAT’S WRONG?
Jenny: I HAD A SCARY DREAM, AND I’M FEELING REALLY UPSET.
Mom: I’M SORRY, SWEETHEART. DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?
Jenny: MOM, THERE’S SOMETHING I NEED TO TELL YOU.
Mom: I’M LISTENING.
Jenny: SOME KIDS AT SCHOOL WERE PLAYING MUSIC I DIDN’T WANT TO HEAR. I TOLD THEM NO, BUT THE SONG GOT STUCK IN MY HEAD.
Mom: WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT?
Jenny: WHEN I GOT HOME, I CHOSE TO PLAY IT AGAIN. AND WHEN YOU ASKED WHAT I WAS LISTENING TO, I DIDN’T TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
Mom: THANK YOU FOR BEING HONEST WITH ME NOW.
Jenny: I’M SORRY, MOM.
Mom: WE CAN TALK ABOUT BETTER CHOICES. BUT FIRST, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE BIBLE.
Move to Saul’s court. Saul enters wearing a robe and crown and sits on his throne.
Mom: LONG AGO, ISRAEL HAD A KING NAMED SAUL.
Jenny: THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL?
Mom: THAT’S RIGHT. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT SAUL BECAME DEEPLY TROUBLED.
Saul appears restless and distressed.
Saul: I FEEL SO TROUBLED! I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND RELIEF!
Mom: SAUL’S SERVANTS SUGGESTED FINDING SOMEONE WHO COULD PLAY MUSIC SKILLFULLY.
Scene 9: David Is Chosen
David enters carrying a pretend harp.
Mom: ONE OF SAUL’S SERVANTS KNEW ABOUT A YOUNG MAN NAMED DAVID, THE SON OF JESSE. DAVID WAS A SKILLED MUSICIAN.
David: I’M HERE TO SERVE THE KING.
Saul: I’VE HEARD THAT YOU CAN PLAY THE HARP.
David: YES, YOUR MAJESTY.
Saul: THEN PLEASE PLAY FOR ME.
David mimes playing the harp. Use a brief, gentle, original or authorized instrumental cue.
Mom: WHEN SAUL WAS TROUBLED, DAVID PLAYED HIS HARP, AND SAUL FOUND RELIEF.
Read 1 Samuel 16:23: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
Saul gradually relaxes while David continues playing.
Saul: I FEEL REFRESHED.
David: I’M GLAD I COULD SERVE YOU, YOUR MAJESTY.
Back to Jenny and Mom
Return to the home setting.
Jenny: SO DAVID’S MUSIC HELPED SAUL FEEL BETTER?
Mom: YES. THAT’S WHAT THE BIBLE TELLS US ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR EVENT.
Jenny: DOES THAT MEAN EVERY SONG WILL MAKE SOMEONE FEEL BETTER OR WORSE?
Mom: NOT NECESSARILY. BUT MUSIC CAN INFLUENCE OUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, SO WE SHOULD THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT WE LISTEN TO.
Jenny: I GUESS I WASN’T REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE SONG WAS SAYING.
Mom: THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORDS AND MESSAGES IN OUR MUSIC.
Jenny: SO I SHOULD ASK WHETHER IT HELPS ME THINK ABOUT THINGS THAT HONOR GOD?
Mom: EXACTLY. AND IF SOMETHING TROUBLES YOU, YOU CAN ALWAYS TALK TO ME.
Jenny: I’M GOING TO BE MORE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I CHOOSE TO LISTEN TO.
Mom: THAT’S A GOOD DECISION.
Jenny: AND NEXT TIME, I’LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH INSTEAD OF TRYING TO HIDE IT.
Mom: I’M GLAD WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT.
Jenny: MAYBE WE COULD LISTEN TO SOME WORSHIP MUSIC TOGETHER!
Mom: I’D LIKE THAT.
Jenny and Mom exit.
Teacher Follow-Up
Say: “Have you ever heard a song that stayed in your head long after it stopped playing? Sometimes music is very easy to remember!”
Explain that repeated words and messages can influence what we think about.
Read 1 Samuel 16:23: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
Say: “The Bible tells us that Saul found relief when David played the harp. This was a particular event in Saul’s life, and it reminds us that music can have an important effect on people!”
Read Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Say: “Paul encouraged believers to think about things that are true, honest, pure, and worthy of praise!”
Say: “When choosing music, don’t just ask whether it has a catchy tune. Ask what the words are saying and whether the message encourages thoughts and choices that honor God!”
Explain that the lesson is about the content and influence of what we hear, not automatically condemning an entire musical genre.
Say: “Imagine a friend wants you to listen to something you don’t feel comfortable hearing. What could you say?”
Offer examples.
Say: “No thanks. I don’t want to listen to that.”
Say: “Could we play something else?”
Say: “I’m going to step away for a little while.”
Read Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Say: “Worship music can help us turn our attention toward Jesus and remember His goodness!”
Say: “Jenny made a choice she regretted, but she eventually told her mother the truth. If something you hear or see leaves you worried, you can talk with a parent or another trusted adult!”
Explain that a frightening dream does not automatically mean a child has done something wrong or experienced something supernatural.
Say: “This week, pay attention to the messages in the things you listen to. Choose what helps you think about what is true, pure, and pleasing to God!”
Bringing the Lesson Home
Say: “Jenny learned that music can influence what stays in our thoughts. David’s music brought relief to Saul, and Philippians 4:8 teaches us to think about things that are true, honest, pure, and worthy of praise. We should choose carefully what we listen to, be honest about our choices, and let worship help direct our attention toward Jesus!”