Judges 14
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Samson was very strong. So strong!
One day, a lion jumped out. It roared loud. So loud.
But Samson was not afraid. God's Spirit came on him, big and strong. Samson tore the lion apart, just with his hands.
Later, Samson walked by the lion again. And look! Bees were inside it. Sweet, sticky honey too.
Samson took the honey. He ate it. Yummy, sweet honey. He gave some to his father and mother. They ate it too.
What Does This Mean?
Samson had a party, a big feast. Thirty friends came.
Samson said, "I have a riddle for you." A riddle is a puzzle with words.
He said, "Out of the eater came out food. Out of the strong came out sweetness."
The friends thought and thought. They could not guess it. Not one bit.
The Common Thread
The friends got angry. They did not want to lose the game.
So they went to Samson's wife. They said, "Make him tell you the answer. Or we will hurt you."
Samson's wife cried. She cried and cried, every day.
"Tell me," she said. "Tell me, or you don't love me."
Samson felt sad. He told her the secret.
Then she told the friends. They knew the answer now, but not fair. Not fair at all.
Samson was very angry. God's Spirit came on him again, strong like before. God had been watching, all along. God saw everything, even the riddle, even the tears.
For You
Do you know what is nice? Telling the truth. Even when it is hard.
Samson's wife did not tell the truth to help her husband. She told secrets to men who wanted to hurt him.
You can be different. You can keep a promise, even a small one. Even when someone cries and asks and asks.
God sees you too. He sees when you are strong. He sees when you are kind. He sees you always.
Talk About It
Have you ever kept a secret, even when it was hard?
What do you think Samson felt like when the lion roared at him?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank You for seeing me. Help me tell the truth, even when it is hard. Thank You for being strong, and for loving me. Amen.
Questions about Judges 14
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Judges 14 about?
What does Judges 14 say?
What does Judges 14 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Judges 14?
Why is Judges 14 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Samson's parents ask him a question. He answers with an order: "Get her for me, for she pleases me well." No prayer, no weighing, just what looked good in his eyes. That phrase shadows the whole book of Judges, and it still shadows us. When someone who loves you asks why, is "because I want it" the only answer you have?
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
