In 2 Chronicles 28, King Ahaz chooses to ignore God and worship idols, and he and his people suffer for it. Children learn that turning away from God always leads to trouble, but God still cares about people who are hurting. This lesson suits ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When we turn away from God, we get into trouble, but God is always ready to help us come back to Him. He loves His people even when they make wrong choices.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 28:1
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, like David his father…
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands in front of them, palms up, as if carrying a heavy basket. Then ask them to lower their hands slowly as they say the words, showing that Ahaz chose a path that was not right. Repeat it together three times.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 28 for Kids
Ahaz became king of Judah when he was only twenty years old. He ruled in Jerusalem for sixteen years. Sadly, Ahaz did not follow God the way his father David had. Instead, he copied the bad kings of Israel and made idols for the false god Baal.
Ahaz even burned incense in a valley and offered his own children in the fire. This was terrible, and God was very upset. Because Ahaz had turned away from God, God let enemy kings attack Judah. The king of Syria took many captives to Damascus, and the king of Israel defeated Judah in a great battle.
Then a prophet named Oded went out to meet the Israelite army as it came home with prisoners. Oded spoke to them plainly. “God was angry with Judah, so He let you win, but you have gone too far.” He asked them to send the prisoners back home.
Some leaders in Israel agreed with Oded. They told the soldiers, “You must not bring these captives here. Our guilt is already great.” So the soldiers gave the prisoners back. The leaders helped the tired and sick people by giving them clothes, shoes, food, and donkeys to ride, and they took them safely back to their families.
Even after all this, Ahaz did not come back to God. He sent for help from other kings, but it did not save him. He closed the doors of God’s house, broke up its sacred items, and built altars to idols all over Jerusalem. When Ahaz died, he was buried in the city but not in the royal tombs, and his son Hezekiah became king.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 28:9
But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, “Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven.
(WEB)
Point out that God sent a prophet named Oded to speak up for the captives. Explain that God still cares about people who are hurting and often sends help through the people He chooses. Ask the children who they think Oded was, and what courage it took to speak.
2 Chronicles 28:15
The men who have been mentioned by name rose up and took the captives, and with the plunder clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them, gave them sandals, and gave them something to eat and to drink, anointed them, carried all the feeble of them on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
(WEB)
Show the children that the leaders did something kind for people who had been treated badly. Notice the many small acts of care listed here. Encourage the children to think of one kind thing they could do for someone this week.
2 Chronicles 28:24
Ahaz gathered together the vessels of God’s house, and cut the vessels of God’s house in pieces, and shut up the doors of the LORD’s house; and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
(WEB)
Explain that Ahaz shut the doors of God’s house and built altars to other gods. Help the children understand that this shows how far he had moved away from God. Remind them that God always wants us to come back to Him.
Talk About It
- What did King Ahaz do that made God unhappy?
- Why do you think the prophet Oded was brave to speak to the soldiers?
- How did the leaders show kindness to the captives?
- What are some ways people today can turn away from God, and how can they come back?
- What is one thing you can do to remember to stay close to God?
Activity Ideas
Broken and Restored Picture
You will need paper, crayons, and scissors. Have the children draw a simple picture of a house or church with a door. Then have them tear the drawing in half and tape the pieces back together on a second sheet, with a heart in the middle. Explain that the torn paper shows what happens when people turn away from God, and the taped paper shows how God welcomes them back.
Captives Relay Game
You will need a few soft balls or bean bags and a open space. Divide the children into two teams. Have one child from each team carry a bean bag on a spoon across the room to a “safe place,” representing the captives being carried home. Cheer for everyone who finishes, and talk about how the leaders helped the weak and tired people.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a pencil. Have each child write or draw one way they will stay close to God this week, such as praying before bed or helping a family member. Let them decorate the card and take it home. Encourage the family to talk about it together at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that turning away from God brings real consequences, both for the king and for the nation. It also shows that God does not stop caring for His people. Even in the middle of their sin, God sent a prophet and moved the hearts of some leaders to show mercy. Adults can learn that God’s patience and kindness are ready for anyone who returns to Him.
Be careful not to make the lesson sound like a simple rule where bad things happen to bad people as an automatic reward or punishment for every choice. Keep the focus on God’s character: He is holy and He is faithful, and He invites people back to Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us even when we make wrong choices. Help us stay close to You and turn back to You whenever we wander away. Thank You for sending people to help and for always being ready to welcome us home. Amen.
