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Build It, Play It: Jonathan’s Topographical Adventure

  • Writer: Maralee Allen
    Maralee Allen
  • Jul 29
  • 4 min read

“You aren’t supposed to learn about Venn Diagrams until you’re in grade six,” I’d say to my kindergarten class, “but you are SO smart I think you’re ready now!”


Then we’d launch into a wonderful science discussion comparing fish to humans, all with the help of a Venn Diagram.


At the end of the day, I’d remind them to impress their parents by telling them that they knew how Venn Diagrams work, and proudly they’d proclaim their learning.


What is it about fancy words? They’re SO inspiring!

 

Try this – Topographical Map


After reading the story of when Jonathan trusted God, climbed the cliff and attacked the Philistines, why not review it with a topographical map?


This project is best done outside. A sandbox would work great, but any spot of dirt can turn into a wonderful topographical map.


Large white dog sits in a dirt pile in a garden

                                                                    

Say: Remember how Saul was too scared to fight the Philistines after starting a war with them? Remember how his son Jonathan finally decided to act in faith, to see if God would help them win?

Let’s build a TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP and play the story!


Most likely you’ll get a response like, “What’s a top-o-fi-cal map?”


Explain that you’ll help them build a mini version of what the land looked like in the story. They can add in lots of details and the people from the story too. (Also, practice saying top-o-graph-i-cal, so that they can sound super-smart.)

 

Most likely your child will remember that Jonathan climbed a cliff, so that’s a good place to start.


A medium sized rock and green sprout in a section of dirt


If you don’t have big rocks, you can build a cliff with wet sand or dirt.


Fun Fact – The Bible describes where Jonathan and his armour-bearer went as a “pass” between two cliffs… so make a narrow path and a cliff on each side.


Make the cliffs steep because the Bible describes Jonathan climbing using his hands and feet.


A medium sized rock next to another medium sized rock in a dirt pile


What’s next? Well, where was Saul?


Fun Fact – The Bible specifically says that Saul camped (with his little army) under a pomegranate tree!


A handful of chives surrounded by small rocks on a pile of dirt.


I had chives going to seed that I thought I could pretend were pomegranates.




Milo says, “No Mom, they taste yucky to me… but I’ll step on them!”


Set up a special tree for Saul and remember that his army was little because most of the men had run away and hid in caves and bushes. So, you’ll need to build some of those hiding spots, too.




What’s next? Well, what about the Philistines?


Fun Fact – They weren’t all at the top of the cliff. The Bible says that at the top of the cliff was an “outpost,” but that others were in the camp, the field, and other outposts and raiding parties.


Decide where the Philistines' big camp will be (maybe beside a “field”). Perhaps choose where a couple of other outposts will be (besides the one at the top of the cliff).


A large white dog sits on the grass chewing a stick

                                                     

I thought sticks could mark out the camp. Milo liked that idea!


Anything else? Well, after the fight began and Saul’s army joined Jonathan, Jonathan led them through a forest – chasing after the Philistines. Better make a forest too!


A small square of sticks sits next to two medium sized rocks.


Now let’s add the people.


Choose different colored popsicle sticks for the main characters. If you don’t have colored popsicle sticks, just use markers to make your own.


A collection of popsicle sticks laying in the dirt.


Colors don’t matter, but here’s what I chose:


  • King Saul – Purple is a royal color

  • Jonathan – Green for “go” (He was ready to go with God’s help.)

  • Jonathan’s armor-bearer – Blue broken in half to be short (The Bible says he was young.)

  • Priest Ahijah (optional) - Yellow (Only include him if you learned about his part in the story.)


Saul’s army can be regular popsicle sticks. Numbers aren’t critical, but here’s what

I chose to do:


  • I used six sticks to represent the six hundred men that didn’t run away and hide.

  • I used twelve sticks to represent all the men who ran away and hid (since many more ran away than stayed).


Under a small rock cave, popsicle sticks stick out of the ground

                                       

Hide most of Saul’s army in the bushes and caves.


The Bible says that no one could count how many soldiers the Philistines had! Yikes!


A small square of sticks are surrounded by other sticks, sticking out of the ground


I used twigs so that I could just keep adding and adding. Wood chips or small rocks could work too… whatever is available and free!


Mud covers a medium sized rock and small sticks are sticking out of the mud.

I added some mud to the top of the cliff so that the Philistines could stand up!


Now it’s time to play the story. Start with Jonathan and his armor-bearer at Saul’s camp. Talk through the story and move the people through the topographical map. Don’t forget the earthquake God sent!


  • A medium sized rock is covered in mud and small sticks are poking out of the mud

                                                                     


If you don’t think you can remember how the story goes, here’s a link to my retelling of it. (Start listening at about minute 2:00.)


While you listen, show the action with your stick people!

 


This is a great beginning for more summer Bible building fun.


Why not try a topographical map of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea?


If you’re at the beach, try a retelling of Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders – live action style!

 

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