This lesson teaches children that God keeps every promise He makes, even when the kings of Israel and Judah do not keep theirs. It is built for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a short story, a memory verse, a few Bible readings, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His word. People may do wrong, but God does exactly what He said He would do.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 15:12
This was the LORD’s word which he spoke to Jehu, saying, “Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” So it came to pass.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and hold both hands out flat, palms up, like they are holding a promise. When they say “God keeps His word,” they slowly bring their hands together, then open them wide as if letting it go, and sit down.
The Story: 2 Kings 15 for Kids
Long ago, the land of Israel had many kings, and most of them did not love God. One of them was Azariah, who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from the city of Jerusalem for fifty-two years. Azariah tried to do what was right in the Lord’s eyes, just as his father Amaziah had. But even he did not take away the high places, where the people still gave gifts to idols.
Later, God made Azariah very sick with a skin disease called leprosy. He had to live in a separate house, away from everyone else. His son Jotham took care of the palace and the people while his father was sick. Then Azariah died, and Jotham became king.
In the north, the kings of Israel kept doing evil. Zechariah ruled for only six months before Shallum killed him and took the throne. Then Menahem came, killed Shallum, and ruled for ten years. Menahem was cruel to the people of the city of Tiphsah, who would not open their gates to him. He was also so afraid of the mighty king Pul of Assyria that he paid him a huge amount of silver to leave him alone. Menahem took that silver from the rich men of Israel, fifty pieces from each one.
Israel kept going down this sad path. Pekahiah was killed by his captain, Pekah. Pekah ruled for twenty years, but he too did evil in the Lord’s sight. During his time, the king of Assyria came and took many cities and carried the people away. Then Hoshea killed Pekah and became king.
Through all of this, God was still at work. Long before, God had told a man named Jehu that his sons would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations. God kept that promise. Even when people made bad choices, God’s word stood firm, and nothing could stop it.
Judah had a few more kings after Azariah, and Jotham was one of them. He tried to do what was right, but he, too, did not remove the high places. At the end of the chapter, the people began to see trouble coming from enemies like Rezin of Syria. God’s plan was still moving forward, one step at a time.
Read It Together
2 Kings 15:5
The LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house. Jotham, the king’s son was over the household, judging the people of the land.
(WEB)
Point out that God struck King Azariah with sickness. Explain that this was a serious consequence, and it shows that God is holy and does not ignore wrong. Let children ask why God acted this way, and gently remind them that God is always fair.
2 Kings 15:10-12
10 Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck him before the people, and killed him, and reigned in his place. 11 Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 12 This was the LORD’s word which he spoke to Jehu, saying, “Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” So it came to pass.
(WEB)
Walk through this short passage slowly. Show children how Shallum took the throne by force, but God’s promise to Jehu still came true. Point out the phrase “So it came to pass” and explain that it means God’s word happened exactly as He said.
2 Kings 15:19-20
19 Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20 Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land.
(WEB)
Explain that Menahem paid a king to protect him instead of trusting God. Ask children where people sometimes look for help instead of looking to God, and help them see that God is the one who truly keeps us safe.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means that God kept His promise to Jehu even when the kings were doing wrong?
- Why do you think the kings of Israel kept doing evil things even when they saw what happened to the kings before them?
- How did King Azariah try to please God, and what did he still need to do?
- What is a promise someone has made to you that they kept, and how did that make you feel?
- When you feel scared, where can you go to find help, like Menahem should have done?
Activity Ideas
Promise Keeper Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of something God promised, such as a rainbow, the stars, or His presence with us. Help them write “God keeps His word” across the bottom. Let them take the picture home to remind them that God is faithful every day.
Stand Firm Game
You will need an open space and a sturdy chair. Have children stand in a circle while one child sits in the chair as the “throne.” Tell them that when you say “God’s word stands,” everyone shouts “Amen!” and stands still. When you say “Kings change,” everyone moves to a new spot in the circle. Play a few rounds, then talk about how God’s word stays the same even when things around us change.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a hole punch with string. Write one promise from the Bible on each card, such as “I will never leave you” or “God is faithful.” Punch a hole in the corner and tie the string so children can hang the card on their bedroom door or in their room. Encourage them to read it each morning and say it out loud before breakfast.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows a hard truth: many of the kings of Israel and Judah were unfaithful, but God’s word about the future of the nation never failed. The chapter is less about the kings themselves and more about the steady faithfulness of God. Adults can see in it a call to trust God’s promises even when leaders, governments, or circumstances seem to be falling apart.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that bad people are always punished right away. The chapter shows several kings dying naturally, and God’s justice often unfolds over a long time. Keep the focus on God being faithful and good, rather than suggesting that every wrong choice leads to an immediate and visible punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. Help us remember that You are always faithful, even when people around us make bad choices. Teach us to trust You every day, and help us to do what is right in Your eyes. Amen.
