For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
On the very night Haman plans something terrible, God keeps a king awake — and everything changes.
Today's Story
That night, the king couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned. So he asked a servant to read to him from the kingdom's record books — the most boring bedtime story ever! But as the servant read, they came to the part where Mordecai had saved the king's life by reporting the secret plot.
“Wait,” said the king. “Was Mordecai ever rewarded for this?” “No,” said the servant. “Nothing was ever done for him.” The king decided right then to honor Mordecai.
Just then, proud Haman arrived, planning to ask the king to harm Mordecai. But before he could speak, the king asked HIM, “Haman, what should I do for a man I want to honor?” Haman thought the king meant HIM! So he described the grandest honor he could imagine: royal robes, a royal horse, a parade through the city!
“Wonderful!” said the king. “Now go do all of that… for Mordecai!” Haman was shocked! He had to lead Mordecai through the streets, announcing his honor, instead of harming him. God had flipped everything around — all because a king couldn't sleep!
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- The king couldn't sleep, and that changed everything! How does it amaze you that God can use even little things?
- Haman wanted to harm Mordecai but ended up honoring him instead. How does God turn things around for good?
- God protected His people through a “coincidence” that wasn't really a coincidence at all. Why can we trust God's surprising ways?