This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Kings 12:25-14:19, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Jeroboam. He was afraid that the people of his kingdom would leave him and go back to another king named Rehoboam. So, Jeroboam built two golden calves and said to the people, “These are your gods who brought you out of Egypt.” He even built temples and appointed priests who were not supposed to be priests.
One day, a man of God came from a different place to Jeroboam’s kingdom. He spoke against the altar and said, “A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and he will sacrifice the priests who worship here.” The man also gave a sign that the altar would be torn down. Jeroboam was so angry that he tried to grab the man, but his hand withered up and he couldn’t move it back. Then the altar was torn down, just like the man of God had said.
After this, the man of God met an old prophet who lived in Bethel and invited him to his house. But the man of God had been told not to eat or drink anything in that place. The old prophet said that an angel had told him to invite the man to his house, but he lied. When the man of God left, a lion killed him on the way because he had disobeyed God’s command.
At that time, Jeroboam’s son Abijah fell ill, and Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah, who had previously prophesied that Jeroboam would become king. When she arrived, Ahijah, who was now blind, told her that he knew who she was and why she had come.
Then, Ahijah delivered a message from the Lord to Jeroboam’s wife: because Jeroboam had turned away from the Lord and worshipped false gods, the Lord would bring disaster upon his family. Every male in Jeroboam’s family would be cut off and the house of Jeroboam would be destroyed, just like dung is burned up until it is gone.
Ahijah also said that the only good thing found in Jeroboam’s family was in Abijah, who was currently sick. The Lord would take him, sparing him from the disaster that was coming, and he would be the only one from Jeroboam’s family to be buried. The Lord would also raise up a new king over Israel who would destroy the house of Jeroboam.
When Jeroboam’s wife returned home, the child died as soon as she crossed the threshold. Just as Ahijah had prophesied, all of Israel mourned for Abijah, the only one from Jeroboam’s family who was pleasing to the Lord.
Biblical Lessons
- God is always watching and knows what is in our hearts. He will punish those who turn away from Him and worship false gods.
- We must obey God’s commands and follow His will, even if it means going against the wishes of powerful people.
- False prophets and teachers can lead us astray from God’s true path. We must always seek out the truth in God’s word and be discerning in who we listen to and follow.
- Even when we face great temptation and opposition, we must remain faithful to God and trust in His protection.
- Disobeying God can have severe consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us.
- The Lord is merciful and forgiving to those who repent and turn back to Him.