2 Chronicles 11
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was early in the morning. The sun came up over the city of Jerusalem.
And in the city stood soldiers. Lots of soldiers. So many you could not count them.
They had shields. They had spears. Their feet went stamp, stamp, stamp on the stones.
In front of them stood the king. His name was Rehoboam. He was angry. Very angry.
Because some of the people did not want him as king anymore. They had walked away.
"We will go after them," said Rehoboam. "We will fight them. Then they will come back."
The soldiers were ready. The spears shone in the sun.
But then. Then something happened.
There was a man. His name was Shemaiah. God had said something to him. Something for the king.
Shemaiah walked up to Rehoboam. And he said it out loud, so everyone could hear.
"God says: do not go. Do not fight. Those are your brothers! Everybody, go home."
It was very quiet. All those soldiers. All those spears. And nobody said a word.
What Does This Mean?
And then, slowly, the soldiers turned around.
One put his shield down. Then another. And another.
They went home. Home to their houses. Home to their bread and their beds.
They listened to God. Even though they were angry. Even though they were ready.
God said stop. And they stopped.
Rehoboam stayed in Jerusalem. He did not fight his brothers.
He built strong cities instead. Cities with thick walls. One of them was called Bethlehem.
He put bread in the cities. And oil. And wine. So that nobody would be hungry.
The Common Thread
And something else happened, something beautiful.
People came walking to Jerusalem. From far away. Over the dusty roads.
They came because they wanted to be near God. They wanted to say thank you to Him.
Mothers came. Fathers came. Children came, holding hands.
They walked and they walked. And their hearts said: we want to be with God.
God saw them coming. God was glad.
And listen. That little city, Bethlehem, with its strong wall? Long, long after this, a baby was born there. In a stable, in the night.
That baby was Jesus. God's own Son.
For You
Sometimes you are angry too. Really angry.
Maybe someone took your toy. Or pushed you.
And your hands want to hit. Your feet want to stamp.
But then you can stop. Just like those soldiers stopped.
You can put your hands down. You can breathe in. And out.
God says: not fighting. That one is your brother. That one is your sister.
And you may come to God. Always. Just like those people who walked to Jerusalem.
You do not even have to walk far. You can just say: God, here I am.
Talk About It
What do you do when you are very angry?
Who would you like to be nice to today?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Sometimes I am angry.
Help me to stop.
Thank you that I can come to you.
Thank you for Jesus.
Amen.
Questions about 2 Chronicles 11
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 2 Chronicles 11 about?
What does 2 Chronicles 11 say?
What others discovered
Three years. That's how long it lasted. Faithful priests fled north to Judah, and their arrival made Rehoboam strong, "for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon." The strength came from the walking, not the walls. When the walking stopped, so did the strength. What has your third year looked like lately?
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
Philippines
Nigeria
Zimbabwe
India
Zambia
South Africa
Malawi
Kenya
Indonesia
DR Congo
Ghana
Nepal
Cameroon
Mozambique
Benin
