2 Kings 8
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. This is a story about a mother. She had a little boy. Long ago, that boy was very sick. He even died. But the man of God, Elisha, prayed. And the boy became alive again! What a wonder.
Now Elisha came back to the mother. He said something serious. "Go away from here. For seven long years there will be no bread. No food will grow." The mother listened. She packed her things. She took her boy. And they left.
Seven years is very long. But then, at last, they came home.
Oh no. Someone else lived in her house. Someone else was in her field. What now?
The mother went to the king. She wanted to ask for her house back. And guess what! At that very moment, the king was talking about Elisha. He was talking about the boy who came alive again. And then the mother walked in. With her boy!
The king looked. And he listened. And he said, "Give her everything back. Her house. Her field. And all the food that grew there."
What Does This Mean?
Did you see it? God knew about the mother. God knew about the boy. God made sure they walked in at exactly the right moment. Not too early. Not too late. Just right.
God saw the mother. God heard the mother. And God took care of her.
The Common Thread
God does that so often in the Bible. He sees people who are sad. He sees people who need help. And He comes at just the right moment.
Later, God sent Someone very special. His name is Jesus. Jesus also made a dead boy alive again. Jesus also saw sad mothers. Jesus loves children. Just like God took care of this mother, Jesus takes care of you.
You are never alone. God sees you. Always.
For You
Sometimes you have to wait a long, long time. Waiting is hard. Waiting for your birthday. Waiting for Mommy to come home. Waiting when you feel sad.
But God sees you. Even when you wait. He knows exactly where you are. And He knows exactly what you need.
You can talk to God. Just tell Him. He listens. He is a good Father.
Talk About It
Have you ever had to wait a long time for something? How did that feel?
The mother walked in at exactly the right moment. Do you think God helped her?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You see me. Thank You that You hear me. When I have to wait, please help me. When I am sad, please be near. You are a good Father. Thank You for Jesus.
Amen.
Questions about 2 Kings 8
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 2 Kings 8 about?
What does 2 Kings 8 say?
What does 2 Kings 8 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 2 Kings 8?
Why is 2 Kings 8 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
She walks in at the exact moment Gehazi is telling the king her story. Seven years of famine, seven years away, and her arrival lands on the one sentence that could open the door. Then the king gives back more than she lost: "all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now." God counts the years you thought were wasted.
He was thirty two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem." Eight years, summed up in one line. Jehoram had a godly father, Jehoshaphat, yet he chose Ahab's family and Ahab's ways. Faith is not passed down like property. It has to be chosen, by you, again today.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
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