For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
King Ahab wants something that isn't his - and what happens next shows us that God always sees when things aren't fair.
Today's Story
Right next to King Ahab's palace was a lovely vineyard that belonged to a man named Naboth. Ahab wanted it for a vegetable garden. “Sell it to me,” he said. But Naboth said, “I'm sorry, this is my family's land. I can't.”
Ahab went home and sulked like a child, refusing to eat. So his wife, Queen Jezebel, did a wicked, unfair thing to take the vineyard away from Naboth. It was wrong - very wrong - and they thought they had gotten away with it.
But God saw everything. He sent brave Elijah straight to the king. “Ahab,” Elijah said, “you did a terrible, unfair thing. God saw it, and it was wrong.”
And here's a surprise: when Ahab heard it, his proud heart actually softened. He was truly sorry. And God, who is so full of mercy, noticed even that little bit of sorry in a hard man's heart.
God always sees when things aren't fair. He cares about the people who get treated wrongly - and He notices every heart that turns back to Him.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- Ahab took something that wasn't his. Why is it never okay to take what belongs to someone else, even if you really want it?
- God saw the unfair thing and cared about it. How does it feel to know God notices when you've been treated unfairly?
- Even hard-hearted Ahab said sorry, and God noticed. What does that tell you about how ready God is to forgive?