For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
Good King Hezekiah loved God. But the son who became king after him made very different choices - and a whole country followed where he led.
Today's Story
Manasseh was only twelve years old when he became king - just a boy! His father, Hezekiah, had loved God with his whole heart. You might think Manasseh would do the same.
But he didn't. Manasseh turned away from the true God. He set up pretend gods made of stone and wood, and he bowed down to the sun and the stars instead of the One who made them. He filled God's special city with the wrong things, in the very place where people were supposed to worship God alone.
And here is the saddest part: Manasseh was the king, so the people watched him and followed along. He led them away from God instead of toward Him. God sent a warning: “Because of all this, hard days are coming.”
It's a sad story. But it teaches us something important. When we follow God, we help the people around us find Him too. And when we walk the wrong way, others can follow us there. The way we live always points somewhere. Let's make sure it points to God.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- Has someone ever followed along with something you did - good or not so good? What happened?
- Manasseh's dad loved God, but Manasseh chose his own way. Why do you think we each have to choose to follow God for ourselves?
- How could the things YOU do today help a friend or a little brother or sister know about God?