In this lesson, children learn that wise people listen to good advice from those who have lived a long time, and that God wants us to be kind rather than harsh with others. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to listen to wise advice and to treat other people kindly, not harshly. When we ignore good counsel, we can hurt others and ourselves.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 10:7
They spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart, then open them outward like a gift. Say the words slowly, and each time you say “kind,” open your hands a little wider.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 10 for Kids
King Rehoboam became king of Israel after his father, King Solomon, died. All the people gathered at a town called Shechem to make him king. Some of them came with a request. They said, “Your father made our work very hard. Please make it lighter, and we will serve you.”
Rehoboam told the people to come back in three days. Then he asked the older men who had worked with his father what he should do. The wise old men gave him good advice. They said, “If you are kind to the people and speak gently to them, they will be loyal to you.”
But Rehoboam did not like that answer. He asked his friends, who were young men he had grown up with, what to do. Those young men told him to be even harder on the people. They said, “Tell them your little finger is thicker than your father’s waist, and that you will make their burden heavier.”
When the people came back, Rehoboam spoke roughly to them and followed the advice of his young friends. The people were upset. They said, “We have no part in David’s family. Let’s go home!” Many of the people went back to their own homes, and the nation of Israel split apart.
Rehoboam sent a man named Hadoram to talk with the people, but they stoned him. Rehoboam then ran to his chariot and fled back to Jerusalem. Because Rehoboam chose harsh words over kind ones, the people of the north turned away from his family.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 10:1
Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.
(WEB)
Point out that all the people gathered to make Rehoboam king. Ask the children why they think the people wanted to talk with him before they gave their loyalty.
2 Chronicles 10:8
But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
(WEB)
Show the children that Rehoboam turned away from the wise old men. Explain that ignoring good advice from people who know more can lead to trouble.
2 Chronicles 10:15
So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was brought about by God, that the LORD might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(WEB)
Explain that God was still working even through hard choices. Be careful to say that God did not make Rehoboam do wrong, but that his plan continued to unfold through the events.
Talk About It
- Who are some older people who give you good advice, and how can you show them respect?
- Why do you think Rehoboam chose to listen to his young friends instead of the wise old men?
- What is one way you can speak kindly to someone who is making you upset?
- How did the people feel when Rehoboam spoke harshly to them?
- What can you do this week to listen to good advice from your parents or teachers?
Activity Ideas
Kindness Crown Craft
Give each child a strip of paper long enough to wrap around their head, plus crayons, glue, and stickers. Have them write one kind word on the paper and decorate it. Tape the strips into crowns and let them wear them while you say the memory verse together.
Listen and Follow Game
Choose one child to be the leader and give them a simple movement like clapping or jumping. Ask the other children to copy the leader. Then have the leader give a few silly instructions, and talk about how it feels to follow someone who gives good directions.
Take-Home Advice Jar
Give each family a small jar and some paper strips. Ask families to write one piece of wise advice on a strip and place it in the jar. Each day this week, the family can pull out one strip and talk about how they might follow that advice together at home.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that a leader’s choices affect many people, and that humble listening to wise counsel is a sign of good character. Adults can see how pride and a desire to appear strong can lead people to ignore those who love them. The story also reminds us that God’s purposes continue even when people make poor decisions.
Avoid suggesting to children that God caused Rehoboam’s bad choice or that the division of the kingdom was simply punishment for a child’s mistake. Keep the focus on the importance of kindness and listening, rather than on the larger historical or theological questions the chapter raises.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us listen carefully to the wise people You have placed in our lives. Teach us to speak kindly to others, even when we feel upset. Help us choose gentle words and good choices every day. Thank You for loving us and guiding us. Amen.
