1 Kings 13
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Long ago there was a king. His name was Jeroboam. The king had made a big altar. That is a stone table. He wanted to burn something on it for a wrong god. That made God sad.
Then a man came walking. He came from far away. God had sent him. We call him the man of God. He walked straight up to the altar.
The man of God called out loud, "Altar! Listen! God says you will break!"
The king heard it. He got angry. Very angry. He pointed his finger and shouted, "Grab that man!"
But look! The king's hand went stiff. He could not move it. Not up. Not down. And crack, the altar broke in two! Just like God said.
The king was shocked. He said softly, "Please, please pray for me. My hand hurts."
The man of God prayed. And yes, the hand was better again. The king was happy. "Come, eat with me!" he said. "I will give you a nice gift."
But the man of God shook his head. "No. God said: do not eat there. Do not drink there. And go home a different way." So he walked away. A different path. Home.
What Does This Mean?
God had said something clear. Very clear. And the man of God listened well. He walked away from the good food. He walked away from the nice gift. Because God had said no.
But then, oh dear. Under a big tree the man sat down. He was tired. An old man came by on a donkey. "Come and eat at my house!" said the old man. "An angel told me it is okay." But that was not true. The old man told a lie.
The man of God went along. He ate bread. He drank water. And he forgot what God had said.
On the way home a lion came. And the man of God did not come home again. It is a sad story.
The Common Thread
God speaks. God's words are true. And God wants us to listen. Really listen. Not to what someone else says. Not even if it sounds nice.
Later Jesus came. Jesus always listened to His Father. Always. Jesus never did anything else. That is why we can trust Jesus so much.
For You
Sometimes Mommy or Daddy says, "No, sweetheart, do not do that." And then a friend says, "Come on, just do it!" That is hard. Very hard.
But listen well. Listen to Mommy. Listen to Daddy. Listen to God. Their words are safe. Like a warm blanket around you.
Talk About It
Who did the man of God listen to first? And who did he listen to later?
Who do you listen to at home?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You speak. Your words are good. Help me to listen well. To Mommy and Daddy. And to You. Thank You for Jesus. He always listened to You.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Kings 13
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Kings 13 about?
What does 1 Kings 13 say?
What does 1 Kings 13 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Kings 13?
Why is 1 Kings 13 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
He said no to a king. Half a palace could not move him. Then an old prophet claimed an angel had spoken, and "he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water." Notice who got through. Not the threat, the invitation. Not an enemy, someone who sounded like God. What word has God already given you that you are quietly letting a friendly voice talk you out of?
Notice the tragic irony: the old prophet accuses the man of God of eating and drinking "in the place of which he said to you, 'Eat no bread, and drink no water.'" But it was the old prophet himself who lied and lured him there. Yet the warning still stands.
How often do we let someone else's spiritual voice override what God clearly told us? A convincing word from a respected voice does not cancel the word already spoken to your own heart. Guard what He told you, even when another prophet says otherwise.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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