Daniel 11
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Long, long ago, there was a man. His name was Daniel. Daniel loved God very much. And God loved Daniel.
One day, God sent an angel to Daniel. The angel came to talk to him. The angel had a very long story to tell.
"Listen, Daniel," said the angel. "I will tell you what is going to happen. Not today. Not tomorrow. But later, much later."
The angel told about kings. Lots and lots of kings. A king from the north. A king from the south. They would fight. They would be angry with each other. They would want to be the biggest and the strongest.
One king would win. Then the other king would win. Back and forth, back and forth. Sometimes they would be nice for a little while. But then they would fight again.
The angel also told about a king who would be very proud. He would think he was better than everyone. He would even think he was bigger than God. But that is not true. Nobody is bigger than God.
Daniel listened very carefully. It was a lot to hear. But Daniel knew: God sees everything. God knows everything. Even things that have not happened yet.
What Does This Mean?
God knew all these kings before they were even born. God knew what they would do. Long, long before it happened, God already knew.
Isn't that amazing? God is so big. God is so wise. Nothing is a surprise for God.
The Common Thread
Kings come and kings go. Big kings and mean kings. Strong kings and proud kings. They fight and they yell.
But there is One King who is different. His name is Jesus. Jesus is a good King. A gentle King. A King who loves children.
Jesus does not fight for a bigger throne. Jesus came down, very low, to be with us. And Jesus is the King forever and ever. His kingdom will never, ever end.
For You
Sometimes the world feels big and scary. Sometimes grown-ups look worried. Sometimes there is bad news on the television.
But God is bigger. God is stronger. God sees everything. And God is holding your hand. Really and truly.
You do not have to be scared. Because Jesus is your King. And He is very, very close.
Talk About It
Which is stronger: a big army, or God?
What do you do when you feel a little bit scared?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You are so big. You are so strong. Thank you that You see everything. Thank you that Jesus is my King. When I am scared, please hold my hand. I love You, God.
Amen.
Questions about Daniel 11
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Daniel 11 about?
What does Daniel 11 say?
What does Daniel 11 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Daniel 11?
Why is Daniel 11 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Notice the detail: not just the army fell, but "his chosen people," the finest troops, the ones you send when everything is on the line. They had no strength to stand. Siege mounds rise slowly, and you can watch your best defenses become useless. What are you counting on to hold when the mound reaches your wall?
The overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and shall be broken; yes, also the prince of the covenant." Even the man with the sacred title goes down. A holy office is no armor. Yet notice who is telling this story before it happens. None of it catches God off guard. Your safety was never in your position. It rests in the One who already sees the end.
Notice who falls in Daniel 11:35: "some of those who are wise." Not the careless, not the compromised. The wise stumble too, and God permits it "to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end."
If you are stumbling right now, it may not mean you have wandered off the path. It may mean you are being made white. The fire is not punishment. It is preparation.
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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