The big lesson of 2 Kings 10 is that God keeps his promises, even when a wicked king tries to stop them, and that we should follow the Lord with our whole heart. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God always keeps his promises, and he wants us to love and obey him with all our hearts, not just when it is easy.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 10:30
The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, and have done to Ahab’s house according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are receiving a gift. Then slowly bring them together over your heart while you say the verse together. Do this three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: 2 Kings 10 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a wicked king named Ahab in the land of Israel. Ahab had many sons, and God had sent a prophet named Elijah to tell Ahab that his family would be punished because they worshiped a false god called Baal. Now a man named Jehu became king, and God chose him to carry out this judgment.
Jehu sent letters to the leaders of the city, telling them to pick one of Ahab’s sons to be king. The leaders were scared, so they did what Jehu asked. Then Jehu gathered the people and said, “You are witnesses. I made a plan against my master, but who killed all these?” Jehu wanted everyone to see that God’s word had come true.
Jehu went on to kill everyone in Ahab’s family, just as God had said. Then he met some relatives of another king, and he took them too. Along the way he met a good man named Jehonadab, and Jehu asked him, “Is your heart with me?” Jehonadab said yes, and the two of them rode together toward the city.
Next, Jehu called all the people who worshiped Baal to a big feast. He said, “Let no one be absent!” When everyone came, Jehu had the Baal worshipers checked to make sure no servants of the Lord were hiding among them. Then he ordered his guards to destroy the false worshipers, and they did. They also tore down the temple of Baal.
Jehu did many things that pleased God, but he did not follow God with his whole heart. He kept worshiping the golden calves that Jeroboam had set up. Because Jehu obeyed God in some things but not in others, God still let his family rule for a while, but not forever.
Read It Together
2 Kings 10:5
He who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders also, and those who raised the children, sent to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, and will do all that you ask us. We will not make any man king. You do that which is good in your eyes.”
(WEB)
Point out that the leaders said, “We are your servants,” even though they were afraid. Ask the children what it looks like to be a good servant when we feel scared, and talk about trusting that God is in charge.
2 Kings 10:15-16
15 When he had departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. He greeted him, and said to him, “Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart?” Jehonadab answered, “It is.” “If it is, give me your hand.” He gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. 16 He said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD.” So they made him ride in his chariot.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jehu asked Jehonadab about his heart and then invited him to see his zeal for the Lord. Help them see that a true heart for God is something we can show others by how we live.
2 Kings 10:31
But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin.
(WEB)
Explain that Jehu did some good things but did not walk with all his heart. Point out that God wants our whole heart, not only the parts that are easy to give.
Talk About It
- Why do you think Jehu wanted everyone to know that God’s words came true?
- What did the leaders do when they were scared, and what could they have done instead?
- How did Jehu show that he cared about the Lord, and how did he show that he did not care about the Lord?
- What is one way you can show God that you love him with your whole heart this week?
- Why is it important to obey God even when it is hard?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Chariot of Faith
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child draw a simple chariot with two wheels and a horse. On the front, have them write or draw one way they can follow God with their whole heart. Let them decorate the chariot with stickers or colored paper, then hang the pictures on the wall as a reminder.
Whole Heart Relay
You will need a few paper hearts, a bowl, and a open space to run. Split the children into two teams and place a bowl at the far end. Each child runs to the bowl, picks up a paper heart, and runs back to tag the next teammate. Between turns, ask the child to name one thing that shows a whole heart for God.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Ask each child to write “I will follow God with my whole heart” on the card and draw a heart beside it. Encourage them to place it on their nightstand or by the front door. Each morning this week, they can read it aloud before leaving the house.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God fulfills his judgments exactly as he announced them through his prophets, and that he holds people responsible for their hearts as well as their actions. Adults can see that partial obedience is still disobedience, and that Jehu’s mixed record warns us against following God only when it suits us.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God is cruel or that the violence in this chapter is something to copy. Focus on God’s faithfulness and the call to a whole heart, and let the difficult details be discussed with care and age-appropriate honesty.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you always keep your promises and that you are faithful to us. Help us to love you with all our hearts and to obey you even when it feels hard. Give us brave and faithful hearts, like the ones you want in us. Amen.
