1 Samuel 2
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Little Samuel lived at the house of God. He was small. His mommy Hannah had prayed for him, and now he helped Eli the priest.
Samuel wore a special little coat. Soft and white. His mommy made it just for him. Every year she came to visit. She hugged him tight. She gave him the new coat. Then she went home again.
But there were two other boys there too. Big boys. Eli's sons. Their names were Hophni and Phinehas. They were priests too. But they were not kind. When people brought meat to give to God, they grabbed the best pieces for themselves. They did not share it right. They did not listen to God at all.
What Does This Mean?
Eli was old now. His eyes were tired. He heard what his sons did. He said, "Why do you do such things?" But the boys did not listen. Not even to their own father.
Samuel was different. Samuel listened. Samuel grew, a little every day, like you grow. He grew tall. And he grew close to God. The Bible says he grew "in favor both with Yahweh and also with men."
One day a man came to Eli. He had a message from God. God said the naughty sons would not be priests forever. But God said something else too. God said, "I will raise up a faithful priest for myself." Someone who would listen. Someone who would do what was right.
The Common Thread
God always finds someone who will listen to Him. The big sons would not listen. But little Samuel did. God was already choosing him, even while he was small, even while he wore his soft little coat.
Long after Samuel, God sent another One who always listened. Always obeyed. That was Jesus. Jesus never grabbed the best piece for himself. Jesus always did what His Father wanted.
For You
You can listen to God too. Even if you are very small. Even smaller than Samuel. God does not need big or strong. He looks for hearts that listen.
When someone asks you to share, you can share. When mommy or daddy tells you something, you can listen, just like Samuel did. God sees you. God is glad when you listen.
Talk About It
What did Samuel's mommy make for him?
Can you think of one thing you can listen to today?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank you for Samuel, who listened to you. Help me listen too. Help me share, and be kind. I love you. Amen.
Questions about 1 Samuel 2
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Samuel 2 about?
What does 1 Samuel 2 say?
What does 1 Samuel 2 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Samuel 2?
Why is 1 Samuel 2 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
God tells Eli, "Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father's house." The arm is strength. Eli had enough strength to scold his sons, never enough to stop them. He honored them above God and called it love. Ask yourself where you are speaking words you have no intention of backing up, and who is being harmed while you call it patience.
The ordinary worshiper is the one pleading for reverence: "Let the fat be burned first." The priest is the one snatching. When Eli's sons said, "No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force," they made God wait in his own house. What are you taking first, before you have given him anything?
Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up." Hannah sings this after years of empty arms and mocking rivals. She knows both sides of that sentence in her own body.
Notice she does not say God allows poverty and lifting up. She says He does it. That is harder to hold when you are the one brought low. But it also means the lifting up, when it comes, is not luck. It has your name on it.
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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