1 Kings 14
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
There was once a king. His name was Jeroboam. He had a little boy. The boy was sick. Very sick.
The king was sad. He was worried. What can we do?
He said to his wife, "Please go. Go to the old man Ahijah. Ahijah listens to God. Put on other clothes. Nobody must know you are the queen."
The wife did what he said. She took bread with her. And little cakes. And a jar of honey. Sweet, sticky honey.
She walked far. All the way to the house of Ahijah.
Ahijah was very old. His eyes did not see anymore. Everything was dark for him.
But God whispered to Ahijah. God said, "Listen. The wife of the king is coming. She wants to hide. But you may know."
The wife came to the door. Tap, tap, tap went her feet.
And then Ahijah said, "Come in! Come in, wife of King Jeroboam! I know who you are."
The wife stood still. How did he know?
What Does This Mean?
You cannot hide from God. Not ever. Not with other clothes. Not in the dark. Not behind a door.
God sees you. God knows you. He knows your name.
Ahijah told her sad news. The king had not listened to God. The king made other gods, made of shiny metal. That hurt God very much.
The little boy would go to heaven. That was very sad. The wife walked home crying.
The Common Thread
God sees everything. Always. That can feel scary. But God also sees when you are sad. God also sees when you are sick. God also sees when you are all alone.
Long, long later, God sent Jesus. Jesus came close to sick children. Jesus came close to sad mommies and daddies. Jesus said, "Come to me."
God does not want us to hide. God wants us to come. Just as we are.
For You
Sometimes you do something you should not do. Then you want to hide. Under a blanket. Behind the couch. Or you say, "It wasn't me!"
But God sees you. And listen: that is not scary. Because God loves you. So much!
You may go to God. Just say, "God, I did something wrong." God listens. God forgives. God stays close.
You do not need to hide. Never.
Talk About It
Where do you sometimes hide when you have done something wrong?
What do you think God sees when He looks at you?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You see me. Always. You know my name. Thank You that I do not need to hide. I may come to You. Just the way I am.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Kings 14
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Kings 14 about?
What does 1 Kings 14 say?
What does 1 Kings 14 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Kings 14?
Why is 1 Kings 14 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Jeroboam's wife rose up and departed, and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of the house, the child died. She had walked all that way disguised, carrying dread in her chest, and the boy slipped away the moment her foot crossed the door. God's word through Ahijah was exact, even in its timing. Sometimes obedience means walking home to a grief we already know is waiting. He does not spare us the threshold, but He does not leave us at it either.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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