This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, even when the people He is helping do not expect it. It is designed for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
God is strong, and He keeps His word. Even when things look too big for us, God is still in control and still helps His people.
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)
Ask children to stand tall with their arms raised high like a king on a hill. Then say the verse together slowly, and lower your arms each time you say “LORD,” so they learn God is always with them, high and low.
The Story: 1 Kings 20 for Kids
King Ben Hadad of Syria gathered a huge army and marched to the city of Samaria. He was a bully who wanted everything King Ahab of Israel had. He sent messengers to say, “Give me your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children.” King Ahab was scared, so he said yes at first.
Then Ben Hadad sent more messengers with an even bigger demand. He said his men would search every house and take whatever they liked. This time King Ahab said no. He asked all the leaders and the people what to do, and they all said, “Do not give in!” So Ahab sent back the message, “Do not brag before the battle is over.”
Then a prophet came to King Ahab with good news from God. He said, “Have you seen this huge army? God will hand it over to you today, so you will know that He is the LORD.” King Ahab asked how, and God told him to send the young leaders of the provinces first, and then the rest of the men of Israel.
The Israelites went out to fight. Ben Hadad was busy drinking in his tent with his thirty-two kings, and he did not expect an attack. God gave Israel the victory, and Ben Hadad ran away on a horse. Israel won the battle, just as God had promised.
Later, the Syrians came back to fight again, and God sent another prophet to tell Ahab that God would give Israel the victory once more. The Israelites won the battle a second time. When Ben Hadad begged for mercy, Ahab let him go, even though God had said Ben Hadad should not be spared. God was not pleased, and He sent a message of judgment.
Read It Together
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)
Point out that the Syrians thought God was only strong in the hills, but God showed He is strong everywhere, even in the valleys. Ask children where they think God is when they feel small or scared.
1 Kings 20:20-21
20 They each killed his man. The Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them. Ben Hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen. 21 The king of Israel went out, and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter.
(WEB)
Show children how the Israelites won even though they were outnumbered. Explain that God gave them the victory, and that the people only had to obey Him and go forward in faith.
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 a prophet was obeying God’s word, and when someone refused to follow God, there were serious consequences. Use this to talk about how listening to God’s voice matters in our daily choices.
Talk About It
- What did King Ben Hadad want from King Ahab, and how did Ahab feel about it?
- Who told King Ahab that God would help him win the battle?
- Why do you think the Syrians thought God was only strong in the hills?
- How did the Israelites show they trusted what God said?
- What is one way you can trust God when you feel scared or outnumbered?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Hill and a Valley
Give each child a piece of paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a tall hill on one side of the page and a green valley on the other. Then have them draw a small figure in the valley and write or draw one thing that reminds them God is with them everywhere, even in the valleys.
Stand Tall or Fall Down Game
Play a simple game where the teacher calls out a situation. If it sounds big and scary, children stand tall with their arms up. If it sounds like something God helps with, they cheer and do a small jump. Use examples like “a storm,” “a test at school,” “a friend who is sad,” and “God is with me.” This helps children connect God’s strength to everyday life.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a rubber band for each child. Write “God keeps His promises” on one side of the card and the memory verse reference on the other. Ask each child to decorate the card at home, then keep it in a pocket or on the bedside table. Encourage them to read it aloud each morning this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s victory does not depend on the size of the army or the strength of the people. God keeps His word, but He also calls His people to obey Him. Ahab’s failure to follow God’s command, and his choice to spare Ben Hadad, reminds us that trusting God includes doing what He asks.
With children, avoid suggesting that God always gives us exactly what we want when we pray or that obedience guarantees easy victories. Keep the focus on God being strong and faithful, and on the simple truth that He keeps His promises even when we feel small.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are strong and You keep Your promises. Help us remember that You are with us on the hills and in the valleys, even when we feel small or scared. Help us listen to Your voice and trust You each day. Amen.
