2 Kings 13
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Once there was an old man named Elisha. He was very sick.
The king came to see him. His name was Joash. Joash sat by the bed. Joash cried, so many tears.
Elisha said, "Take a bow. Take some arrows."
The king took them in his hands. Elisha put his own hands on top.
"Open the window," said Elisha. The window went open, wide.
"Shoot!" said Elisha. The arrow flew far.
"Now, hit the ground with the arrows," said Elisha.
The king hit the ground. Once. Twice. Three times. Then he stopped.
Elisha was not happy. "Why did you stop? You should have hit it more!"
Then Elisha died. They put him in a cave.
What Does This Mean?
Some robbers came one day. They were carrying a dead man to bury. They saw the robbers coming and got scared.
Quick, quick, they put the man in Elisha's cave.
The man touched Elisha's old bones.
And then, something happened. Something big.
The man's eyes opened. His legs moved. He stood up. He was alive again!
Even after Elisha died, God's power was still there. Still strong. Still real.
The Common Thread
The king of Syria was mean to God's people. He hurt them for a long, long time.
But listen. God did not forget them.
The Bible says God was gracious to them. God had compassion. Why? Because of a promise. A promise made long ago, to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob.
God does not break His promises. Not ever.
One day, God would send Someone even bigger than Elisha. Someone who could make dead people live forever. That Someone is Jesus.
For You
Do you know what is wonderful? God keeps His promises, even when we forget. Even when we are far away. Even when things look hard.
You can trust Him. Like you trust your mom to come back when she says she will.
God's promises are like that. Only stronger. Only always true.
Talk About It
Why do you think the man came alive when he touched Elisha's bones?
Can you think of a promise God has made that you like?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank You for keeping Your promises. Thank You that You never forget us. Help me trust You, today and always. Amen.
Questions about 2 Kings 13
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 2 Kings 13 about?
What does 2 Kings 13 say?
What does 2 Kings 13 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 2 Kings 13?
Why is 2 Kings 13 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
His mighty deeds went into a book no one has read for thousands of years. Gone. What God kept was smaller: a king weeping beside a dying prophet, striking the ground three times when he should have kept striking. Your accomplishments will fade from every record. What lasts is what you did when no one was counting.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
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