In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when His people feel small and afraid. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. The story is full of action, so keep the energy up and let the children act out the parts.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, even when we are outnumbered. We can trust Him to win, and we can always listen to Him when He tells us what to do.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 20:13
Behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, “The LORD says, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall, put their hands on their hearts, and then raise both arms high like a winner. Say the words together twice, pausing before “I am the LORD” so everyone shouts it with you.
The Story: 1 Kings 20 for Kids
A mean king named Ben Hadad lived in Syria. He gathered a huge army with thirty-two other kings and many horses and chariots. They marched up and surrounded the city of Samaria, where King Ahab lived.
Ben Hadad sent a message to Ahab. “Give me your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children,” he said. Ahab said yes at first, but Ben Hadad sent back an even bigger demand. The elders and the people said, “Do not give in to him!” So Ahab said no.
Ben Hadad got angry. He and his kings were drinking in their tents when they heard that Israel’s men were coming out of the city. Ben Hadad laughed and said, “Take them alive!” But then God spoke through a prophet. God said, “I will give this huge army into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.”
God did exactly what He promised. Ahab’s small group of young soldiers went out first, and Israel’s army chased the Syrians away. Ben Hadad ran off on a horse and escaped. The next year, Ben Hadad came back to fight again. God sent another prophet to tell Ahab not to be afraid.
Once again, God kept His word. The little army of Israel looked like two small flocks of goats next to the Syrians, but God gave them the victory. Then Ben Hadad begged for mercy, and Ahab let him go. Even so, the story reminds us that God expects His people to obey Him.
Read It Together
1 Kings 20:13-14
13 Behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, “The LORD says, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” 14 Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “The LORD says, ‘By the young men of the princes of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.”
(WEB)
Point out that the prophet came to Ahab with God’s message, not a message of Ahab’s own. Ask the children who God says will win the battle, and notice how God uses ordinary young soldiers to show His power.
1 Kings 20:28
A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “The LORD says, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys”; therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Show the children that the Syrians thought God only ruled the hills, but God proved He rules everywhere. Explain that God is bigger than any place or any army, and He can be trusted in every valley and every battle.
1 Kings 20:35-36
35 A certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow by the LORD’s word, “Please strike me!” The man refused to strike him. 36 Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD’s voice, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” As soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him and killed him.
(WEB)
Explain that this part is a serious reminder that God wants His people to obey Him. Help children understand that listening and obeying God matters, and that God’s instructions are always for our good.
Talk About It
- How did Ahab and his people feel when they saw the huge Syrian army, and what did they do about it?
- What did God promise Ahab, and how did God keep that promise?
- Why do you think the elders told Ahab not to give in to Ben Hadad’s demands?
- When have you felt small or outnumbered, and how can you remember that God is bigger?
- What does it look like for you to listen and obey God, even when it is hard?
Activity Ideas
Two Little Flocks Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big army on one side of the page and a small group of goats or tiny stick figures on the other side. Then have them draw God’s hand over the small group. Talk about how God’s power can make the small group strong.
Army Freeze Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a clap. Choose one child to be the prophet who calls out “God says…” and the rest of the children are the soldiers. When the prophet calls a movement, like “march” or “hide,” everyone does it. Then the prophet calls “Stop!” and everyone freezes, reminding them that God is in control of every move.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a small pocket or envelope. Have each child write or draw one promise God has made, such as “God is with me.” Ask them to take the card home and put it in a pocket or envelope where they can see it each day. Encourage them to read it aloud at bedtime.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God is sovereign over nations and armies, not just over the places we think of as His. It also shows that God keeps His promises even when His people have failed to obey, and that He calls us to trust and to listen to Him. The story highlights God’s faithfulness and patience toward both Israel and their enemies.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God always gives victory in battle or that obeying Him guarantees winning every fight. The chapter is about God’s faithfulness and His word, not a formula for success. Keep the focus on trusting God’s character rather than on the outcomes of conflicts.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You keep every promise You make. When we feel small or scared, help us remember that You are bigger than anything. Help us listen to You and obey You each day. Thank You for always being with us. Amen.
