For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
King David has a son who ran far away, and a hole in his heart where that son used to be. A wise woman is about to help.
Today's Story
King David's son Absalom had done a wrong thing and run far away to another land. Years went by. David missed his son terribly — but he felt stuck and didn't know how to bring him home.
David's commander Joab had an idea. He found a wise woman and asked her to help. She came to the king and told him a story about a family that had been split apart, and she said something David needed to hear.
“Think about how God treats us,” she said. “God doesn't just give up on people. He plans ways to bring back someone who has been sent away. He finds a way home for them.”
Those words touched David's heart. He realized he didn't want his son to stay far away forever. So he sent for Absalom and let him come back home to the city.
It wasn't a perfect ending yet — there was still healing to do. But the door had been opened. And the picture the wise woman gave is one of the most beautiful in the whole Bible: God is always thinking up ways to bring His children home.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- David missed his son but felt stuck. Has there ever been someone you missed and wanted to make up with?
- The wise woman said God always makes a way to bring people home. How does it feel to know God never gives up on us?
- Coming back together can take a first step. What's one kind step you could take toward someone you've been apart from?