Thematic Bible: Bible stories for children
Thematic Bible
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The fatal lie
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, Jehovah helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. read more.
The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.
The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.
His father Jacob said to him: I want you to go to your brothers. They are with the sheep near Shechem. Yes, I will go, Joseph answered. His father said: Go and find out how your brothers and the sheep are doing. Then come back and let me know. So he sent him from Hebron Valley. Joseph was near Shechem, and wandering through the fields, when a man asked: What are you looking for? read more.
Joseph answered: I am looking for my brothers who are watching the sheep. Can you tell me where they are? They are not here anymore, the man replied. I heard them say they were going to Dothan. Joseph soon found his brothers in Dothan. Before he arrived, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him. They said to one another: Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! Let us kill him and throw him into a water pit. We can say that some wild animal ate him. Then we will see what happens to those dreams. Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. Let us not kill him, he said. Do not murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert. Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat. They put him into a water pit. It had no water in it. As they sat down to eat, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying the materials for cosmetics, medicine, and embalming. They were on their way to take them to Egypt. Judah asked his brothers: What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death? Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt. Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow. He returned to his brothers and said: The boy is not there! What am I going to do? Then they killed a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood. They took the robe to their father and said: We found this. Does it belong to your son? He recognized it and said: Yes, it is his! Some wild animal has killed him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces! Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him. However, he refused to be comforted. He said: I will go down to the grave still mourning for my son. So he continued to mourn for his son Joseph. Meanwhile, in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of the king's officers, who was the captain of the palace guard.
Joseph answered: I am looking for my brothers who are watching the sheep. Can you tell me where they are? They are not here anymore, the man replied. I heard them say they were going to Dothan. Joseph soon found his brothers in Dothan. Before he arrived, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him. They said to one another: Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! Let us kill him and throw him into a water pit. We can say that some wild animal ate him. Then we will see what happens to those dreams. Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. Let us not kill him, he said. Do not murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert. Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat. They put him into a water pit. It had no water in it. As they sat down to eat, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying the materials for cosmetics, medicine, and embalming. They were on their way to take them to Egypt. Judah asked his brothers: What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death? Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt. Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow. He returned to his brothers and said: The boy is not there! What am I going to do? Then they killed a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood. They took the robe to their father and said: We found this. Does it belong to your son? He recognized it and said: Yes, it is his! Some wild animal has killed him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces! Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him. However, he refused to be comforted. He said: I will go down to the grave still mourning for my son. So he continued to mourn for his son Joseph. Meanwhile, in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of the king's officers, who was the captain of the palace guard.
Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed he was standing by the Nile River. Suddenly, seven nice-looking well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. Seven other cows came up from the river behind them. These cows were sickly and skinny. They stood behind the first seven cows on the riverbank. read more.
The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had another dream. Seven heads of grain, full and ripe, were growing on one stalk. Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed the full ones. The king woke up and realized that he had been dreaming. The king was upset the next morning. So he called his magicians and wise men and told them what he had dreamed. None of them could tell him what the dreams meant. The king's chief cupbearer said: Now I remember what I was supposed to do. When you were angry with your chief cook and me, you threw us both in jail in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning. A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the cook was put to death. So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had another dream. Seven heads of grain, full and ripe, were growing on one stalk. Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed the full ones. The king woke up and realized that he had been dreaming. The king was upset the next morning. So he called his magicians and wise men and told them what he had dreamed. None of them could tell him what the dreams meant. The king's chief cupbearer said: Now I remember what I was supposed to do. When you were angry with your chief cook and me, you threw us both in jail in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning. A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the cook was put to death. So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » Three fish stories
When he finished speaking he asked Simon to put into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon answered, Master we worked all night and caught nothing. At your word I will let down the nets. When they did this they caught a large number of fish and their nets were breaking. read more.
They called their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats until they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at Jesus' knees. He said: Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
They called their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats until they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at Jesus' knees. He said: Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Jesus stood on the beach at daybreak. The disciples did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to them: Children, have you anything to eat? They answered him: No. He said: Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find fish. They cast it and they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. read more.
That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat about him (for he was dressed only in undergarments), and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away), dragging the net full of fishes. When they got to land, they saw a fire of coals and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said: Bring the fish you caught. Simon Peter went to draw the net to land. It was full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three in all. There were so many and yet the net was not torn.
That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat about him (for he was dressed only in undergarments), and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away), dragging the net full of fishes. When they got to land, they saw a fire of coals and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said: Bring the fish you caught. Simon Peter went to draw the net to land. It was full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three in all. There were so many and yet the net was not torn.
Bible stories for children » A fit of anger that cost a good man his life
Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation in front of the rock and said to them: Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you? Moses raised his hand and hit the rock twice with the staff. Water came pouring out! All the people and their animals drank. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: You did not trust me! You did not show the Israelites how holy I am! So you will not bring this congregation into the land I am giving them.
Then I pleaded with Jehovah: O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, you have begun to show me how great and powerful you are. What kind of god is there in heaven or on earth that can do the deeds and the mighty acts you have done? Please let me go over and see the beautiful land on the other side of the Jordan River. Let me see those beautiful mountains in Lebanon.' read more.
Jehovah was angry with me because of you, so he would not listen to me. He said: 'Enough of that! Do not talk to me anymore about this.
Jehovah was angry with me because of you, so he would not listen to me. He said: 'Enough of that! Do not talk to me anymore about this.
Bible stories for children » The voyage of the big boat
BUILD AN ARK of cypress wood (a resinous tree). Make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be four hundred and fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. Build a roof on it and finish the ark to within eighteen inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle, and upper decks. read more.
I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens. Every creature that has the breath of life in it, everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you. You will enter the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. Bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal, and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. Take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.
I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens. Every creature that has the breath of life in it, everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you. You will enter the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. Bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal, and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. Take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.
Bible stories for children » The young farmer who went out seeking donkeys and found a crown
Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul's head. He kissed him and said: Jehovah has anointed you to be ruler of his people Israel. You will rule his people. You will save them from all their enemies. This will be the sign that Jehovah has anointed you to be ruler of his people.
Bible stories for children » The woman who used a red cord to save her life
Joshua said to the two men that had spied out the country: Go into the harlot's house, and bring the woman out as you swore to her. The young men who were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, mother, and her brothers and all that she had. They brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel. They burned the city and all its contents. They put the silver, gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron into the treasury of the house of Jehovah.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The lame prince
Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled. When the boy was five years old, the news about the death of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled to Gittaim. She was in a hurry when she left. He fell from her arms and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The choir that won a battle by singing
Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. Before they began Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: 'People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in Jehovah your God. You will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed. After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!' As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp, read more.
The Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert. They saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground.
The Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert. They saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The most wonderful house in the world
Before the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are darkened, or the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house will tremble, and the strong men will bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows are darkened, And the doors will be shut in the streets. When the sound of the grinding is low he will rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music will be brought low. read more.
Also when they will be afraid of what is high, and fears will be in the way, and the almond tree will flourish, and the grasshopper will be a burden, and the caper berry breaks and desire fails, man goes to his long lasting home and the mourners go about the streets. When the silver cord is snapped apart, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was. The spirit (life) will return to God who gave it.
Also when they will be afraid of what is high, and fears will be in the way, and the almond tree will flourish, and the grasshopper will be a burden, and the caper berry breaks and desire fails, man goes to his long lasting home and the mourners go about the streets. When the silver cord is snapped apart, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was. The spirit (life) will return to God who gave it.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Then I will send my servant to find the arrows. You will know if it is safe to come out by what I tell him. If it is safe, I swear by the living God Jehovah that I will say: 'The arrows are on this side of you! Pick them up! If it is not safe, I will say to the boy: The arrows are farther away! This will mean that Jehovah wants you to leave. You must go. He will always watch us to make sure that we keep the promise we made to each other.' read more.
David hid there in the field. It was the New Moon Festival. Saul sat down to eat. He ate by the wall, just as he always did. Jonathan sat across from him. Abner sat next to him. But David's place was empty. Saul was in deep thought. So he did not say anything that day. Something must have happened to make David unfit to be at the Festival. Yes, something must have happened. David's place was still empty the day after the New Moon Festival. Saul asked Jonathan: Why has that son of Jesse not come to eat with us? He was not here yesterday, and he still is not here today! Jonathan answered Saul: David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem. David said to me: 'Please let me go, since our family must make a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to attend. If I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table.' Saul got angry with Jonathan and he said, You are Son of a crooked and rebellious woman Jonathan! I know you have sided with Jesse's son, Saul accused. You have no shame. You act as if you are your mother's son not mine. As long as Jesse's son lives on earth, neither you nor your right to be king is secure. Send some men to bring him to me. He is a dead man! Jonathan asked his father: Why should he be killed? What has he done? Saul threw his spear at Jonathan and tried to kill him. Then Jonathan was sure that his father really did want to kill David. Jonathan was angry that his father had insulted David. He got up and left the table. He did not eat anything all that day. In the morning Jonathan went out to the field to meet David. He took a servant boy along. Jonathan told him: When I shoot the arrows, you run and find them for me. The boy started running, and Jonathan shot an arrow so that it would go beyond him. When the boy reached the place where the arrow fell Jonathan shouted to him: The arrow is farther on! Do not just stand there! Hurry up! The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. The boy did not know what it all meant. Only Jonathan and David knew. Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and told him to take them back to town.
David hid there in the field. It was the New Moon Festival. Saul sat down to eat. He ate by the wall, just as he always did. Jonathan sat across from him. Abner sat next to him. But David's place was empty. Saul was in deep thought. So he did not say anything that day. Something must have happened to make David unfit to be at the Festival. Yes, something must have happened. David's place was still empty the day after the New Moon Festival. Saul asked Jonathan: Why has that son of Jesse not come to eat with us? He was not here yesterday, and he still is not here today! Jonathan answered Saul: David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem. David said to me: 'Please let me go, since our family must make a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to attend. If I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table.' Saul got angry with Jonathan and he said, You are Son of a crooked and rebellious woman Jonathan! I know you have sided with Jesse's son, Saul accused. You have no shame. You act as if you are your mother's son not mine. As long as Jesse's son lives on earth, neither you nor your right to be king is secure. Send some men to bring him to me. He is a dead man! Jonathan asked his father: Why should he be killed? What has he done? Saul threw his spear at Jonathan and tried to kill him. Then Jonathan was sure that his father really did want to kill David. Jonathan was angry that his father had insulted David. He got up and left the table. He did not eat anything all that day. In the morning Jonathan went out to the field to meet David. He took a servant boy along. Jonathan told him: When I shoot the arrows, you run and find them for me. The boy started running, and Jonathan shot an arrow so that it would go beyond him. When the boy reached the place where the arrow fell Jonathan shouted to him: The arrow is farther on! Do not just stand there! Hurry up! The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. The boy did not know what it all meant. Only Jonathan and David knew. Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and told him to take them back to town.
Bible stories for children » The anointing of the young shepherd
Jehovah said to Samuel: How long will you mourn for Saul? After all I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Take oil in your vessel and go. I will send you to Jesse, the Beth-lehemite. I have a king from among his sons. How can I go? Samuel asked. When Saul hears about it he will kill me Jehovah said: Take a heifer with you and say: 'I have come to sacrifice to Jehovah.' Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will reveal to you what you should do. You will anoint the one I point out to you. read more.
Samuel did what Jehovah told him. When he came to Bethlehem the elders of the city trembled at his coming. They greeted him and said: May peace be with you. Greetings, he replied, I have come to sacrifice to Jehovah. Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and come with me to the sacrifice. He performed the ceremonies for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they entered he looked at Eliab and thought: Surely Jehovah's anointed is before Him. But Jehovah said to Samuel: Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature. I have rejected him. God does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance. Jehovah looks at the heart (inner man). Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. Samuel said: Jehovah has not chosen this one either. Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. He said: Jehovah has not chosen this one either. So Jesse brought seven more of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse: Jehovah has not chosen any of these. Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here. Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. Jehovah said to Samuel: This is the one. Anoint him! Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. Jehovah's Spirit left Saul, and a distressing spirit sent by Jehovah tormented him.
Samuel did what Jehovah told him. When he came to Bethlehem the elders of the city trembled at his coming. They greeted him and said: May peace be with you. Greetings, he replied, I have come to sacrifice to Jehovah. Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and come with me to the sacrifice. He performed the ceremonies for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they entered he looked at Eliab and thought: Surely Jehovah's anointed is before Him. But Jehovah said to Samuel: Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature. I have rejected him. God does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance. Jehovah looks at the heart (inner man). Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. Samuel said: Jehovah has not chosen this one either. Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. He said: Jehovah has not chosen this one either. So Jesse brought seven more of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse: Jehovah has not chosen any of these. Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here. Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. Jehovah said to Samuel: This is the one. Anoint him! Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. Jehovah's Spirit left Saul, and a distressing spirit sent by Jehovah tormented him.
Bible stories for children » The young man who traded his inheritance for a dish of pottage
One day while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry. He said to Jacob: I am starving! Give me some of that red stuff. (That is why he was named Edom.) Jacob answered: I will give it to you if you give me your birthright as the firstborn son. read more.
Esau said: All right! I am about to die. What good are rights as firstborn to me? Jacob answered: First make a vow that you will give me your birthright. Esau made the vow and gave his rights as firstborn to Jacob. Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. Esau did not care about his birthright.
Esau said: All right! I am about to die. What good are rights as firstborn to me? Jacob answered: First make a vow that you will give me your birthright. Esau made the vow and gave his rights as firstborn to Jacob. Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. Esau did not care about his birthright.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The food that never grew less
He went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, he saw a widow woman gathering sticks. He said to her: Will you give me a little water in a vessel for my drink? As she was going to get it, he said: And get me some bread. Then she said: By the life of Jehovah your God, I have nothing but a little meal, and a drop of oil in the bottle; and now I am getting two sticks together so that I may go in and make it ready for me and my son, so that we may have a meal before our death. read more.
Elijah said to her: Have no fear. Go and do as you said, but first make me a little cake of it and come and give it to me. Then make something for yourself and your son. For this is the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel: 'Your supply of meal will not come to an end. The bottle will never be without oil, till the day when Jehovah sends rain on the earth.' She did as Elijah told her and they all had food for a long time. The store of meal did not come to an end. The bottle was never without oil. This was just as Jehovah said through the mouth of Elijah.
Elijah said to her: Have no fear. Go and do as you said, but first make me a little cake of it and come and give it to me. Then make something for yourself and your son. For this is the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel: 'Your supply of meal will not come to an end. The bottle will never be without oil, till the day when Jehovah sends rain on the earth.' She did as Elijah told her and they all had food for a long time. The store of meal did not come to an end. The bottle was never without oil. This was just as Jehovah said through the mouth of Elijah.
Bible stories for children » The boy who lost his home by mocking
Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was laughing in mockery. She said to Abraham: Get rid of that slave woman and her son. This upset Abraham because of his son Ishmael. read more.
God said to Abraham: Do not be upset about the boy and your slave. Listen to what Sarah says, because through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name. I will make the slave's son into a nation also, because he is your child. Early the next morning Abraham took bread and a container of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder. He also gave her the boy and sent her on her way. So she left and wandered around in the desert near Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. She sat across from him at a distance. She thought: I cannot watch the boy die. She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. God heard the lad crying. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her: What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear! God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad. Hold him by the hand. I will make him a great nation. Then God opened her eyes. She saw a well of water. She filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink. God was with the lad, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer.
God said to Abraham: Do not be upset about the boy and your slave. Listen to what Sarah says, because through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name. I will make the slave's son into a nation also, because he is your child. Early the next morning Abraham took bread and a container of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder. He also gave her the boy and sent her on her way. So she left and wandered around in the desert near Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. She sat across from him at a distance. She thought: I cannot watch the boy die. She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. God heard the lad crying. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her: What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear! God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad. Hold him by the hand. I will make him a great nation. Then God opened her eyes. She saw a well of water. She filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink. God was with the lad, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer.
Bible stories for children » The young man whom an angel saved
God tested Abraham. He said to him: Abraham! Abraham replied: Here I am. Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you. Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey. He took two of his servants and his son Isaac with him. He had cut the wood for the burnt offering. Then he set out for the place that God had told him about. read more.
Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son.
Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son.
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Jacob continued to live in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived. This is the story of Jacob and his descendants. Joseph was a seventeen-year-old young man. He took care of the flocks with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph told his father about the bad things his brothers were doing. Jacob (Israel) loved Joseph more than all his sons because Joseph had been born in Israel's old age. So he made Joseph a special multicolored robe with long sleeves. read more.
Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. They hated Joseph and could not speak to him in a friendly way. One time Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about it and they hated him even more. He said: Please listen to the dream I had. We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat. My sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it. Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us? his brothers asked. So they hated him even more because of his dreams and because of what he said about them. Joseph had another dream and told his brothers: I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me. He also told the dream to his father. His father scolded him. What kind of a dream is that? Do you think that your mother, your brothers, and I are going to come and bow down to you? Joseph's brothers were jealous of him. His father kept thinking about the whole matter. His brothers went to Shechem to take care of their father's flock. His father Jacob said to him: I want you to go to your brothers. They are with the sheep near Shechem. Yes, I will go, Joseph answered. His father said: Go and find out how your brothers and the sheep are doing. Then come back and let me know. So he sent him from Hebron Valley. Joseph was near Shechem, and wandering through the fields, when a man asked: What are you looking for? Joseph answered: I am looking for my brothers who are watching the sheep. Can you tell me where they are? They are not here anymore, the man replied. I heard them say they were going to Dothan. Joseph soon found his brothers in Dothan. Before he arrived, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him. They said to one another: Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! Let us kill him and throw him into a water pit. We can say that some wild animal ate him. Then we will see what happens to those dreams. Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. Let us not kill him, he said. Do not murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert. Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat. They put him into a water pit. It had no water in it. As they sat down to eat, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying the materials for cosmetics, medicine, and embalming. They were on their way to take them to Egypt. Judah asked his brothers: What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death? Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt. Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow. He returned to his brothers and said: The boy is not there! What am I going to do? Then they killed a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood. They took the robe to their father and said: We found this. Does it belong to your son? He recognized it and said: Yes, it is his! Some wild animal has killed him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces! Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time.
Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. They hated Joseph and could not speak to him in a friendly way. One time Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about it and they hated him even more. He said: Please listen to the dream I had. We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat. My sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it. Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us? his brothers asked. So they hated him even more because of his dreams and because of what he said about them. Joseph had another dream and told his brothers: I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me. He also told the dream to his father. His father scolded him. What kind of a dream is that? Do you think that your mother, your brothers, and I are going to come and bow down to you? Joseph's brothers were jealous of him. His father kept thinking about the whole matter. His brothers went to Shechem to take care of their father's flock. His father Jacob said to him: I want you to go to your brothers. They are with the sheep near Shechem. Yes, I will go, Joseph answered. His father said: Go and find out how your brothers and the sheep are doing. Then come back and let me know. So he sent him from Hebron Valley. Joseph was near Shechem, and wandering through the fields, when a man asked: What are you looking for? Joseph answered: I am looking for my brothers who are watching the sheep. Can you tell me where they are? They are not here anymore, the man replied. I heard them say they were going to Dothan. Joseph soon found his brothers in Dothan. Before he arrived, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him. They said to one another: Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! Let us kill him and throw him into a water pit. We can say that some wild animal ate him. Then we will see what happens to those dreams. Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. Let us not kill him, he said. Do not murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert. Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat. They put him into a water pit. It had no water in it. As they sat down to eat, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying the materials for cosmetics, medicine, and embalming. They were on their way to take them to Egypt. Judah asked his brothers: What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death? Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt. Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow. He returned to his brothers and said: The boy is not there! What am I going to do? Then they killed a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood. They took the robe to their father and said: We found this. Does it belong to your son? He recognized it and said: Yes, it is his! Some wild animal has killed him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces! Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The woman who prayed with her finger
A woman who had a hemorrhage (chronic flow of blood) for twelve years came behind him. She touched the border of his garment. She said to herself: If I touch his garment, I will be healed. Jesus turned to see her and said: Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well. The woman was healed at that time.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » Five girls locked out in the cold
The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took no oil with their lamps. read more.
The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. They all slept, because the bridegroom delayed his arrival. There was a shout at midnight. 'Here is the bridegroom! Come meet him.' The virgins awoke and trimmed their lamps. All the foolish virgins said to the wise: 'Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered: 'There will not be enough for both of us. Go to the dealers and buy oil for yourself.' While they were away, the bridegroom came. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast and the door was shut. Later the other virgins came, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he told them: 'I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour.
The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. They all slept, because the bridegroom delayed his arrival. There was a shout at midnight. 'Here is the bridegroom! Come meet him.' The virgins awoke and trimmed their lamps. All the foolish virgins said to the wise: 'Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered: 'There will not be enough for both of us. Go to the dealers and buy oil for yourself.' While they were away, the bridegroom came. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast and the door was shut. Later the other virgins came, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he told them: 'I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The man who used a cloak to get through a river
He picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him. He returned to stand by the bank of the Jordan. Elisha struck the water with Elijah's cloak and said: Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? Then he struck the water again, and it divided, and he walked over to the other side.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » A race for a little boy's life
Years later at harvest time, the boy went out one morning to join his father, who was in the field with the harvest workers. Suddenly he cried out to his father: My head hurts! My head hurts! Carry the boy to his mother, the father said to a servant. The servant carried the boy back to his mother. She held him in her lap until noon. Then the boy died. read more.
She carried him up to Elisha's room and put him on the bed. She closed the door behind her and left. She called her husband and said to him: Send a servant here with a donkey. I need to go to the prophet Elisha. I will be back as soon as I can. Why must you go today? Her husband asked. It is neither a Sabbath nor a New Moon Festival. She replied: Never mind. She had the donkey saddled, and ordered the servant: Make the donkey go as fast as it can. Do not slow down unless I tell you. She left for Mount Carmel, where Elisha was. Elisha saw her coming while she was still far off. He said to his servant Gehazi: Look, there comes the woman from Shunem! Hurry to her and find out if everything is all right with her and her family. She told Gehazi that everything was all right, but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away. Elisha said: Do not bother her. You can see she is deeply distressed. Jehovah has not told me a thing about it. The woman said to him: Did I ask you for a son? Did I not tell you not to get my hopes up? Elisha told Gehazi: Hurry! Take my walking stick. Do not stop to talk to anyone. If anyone speaks to you do not respond. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy. The woman said to Elisha: I swear by my loyalty to the living God Jehovah and to you that I will not leave you! So the two of them started back together. Gehazi went ahead and held Elisha's stick over the child. There was no sound or any other sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and said: The boy did not wake up. When Elisha arrived he went alone into the room. He saw the boy lying dead on the bed. He closed the door and prayed to Jehovah. Then he lay down on the boy, placing his mouth, eyes, and hands on the boy's mouth, eyes, and hands. As he lay stretched out over the boy, the boy's body started to get warm. Elisha got up and walked around the room. He returned and again stretched himself over the boy. The boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes. Elisha called Gehazi and told him to call the boy's mother. When she came in, he said to her: Take your son!
She carried him up to Elisha's room and put him on the bed. She closed the door behind her and left. She called her husband and said to him: Send a servant here with a donkey. I need to go to the prophet Elisha. I will be back as soon as I can. Why must you go today? Her husband asked. It is neither a Sabbath nor a New Moon Festival. She replied: Never mind. She had the donkey saddled, and ordered the servant: Make the donkey go as fast as it can. Do not slow down unless I tell you. She left for Mount Carmel, where Elisha was. Elisha saw her coming while she was still far off. He said to his servant Gehazi: Look, there comes the woman from Shunem! Hurry to her and find out if everything is all right with her and her family. She told Gehazi that everything was all right, but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away. Elisha said: Do not bother her. You can see she is deeply distressed. Jehovah has not told me a thing about it. The woman said to him: Did I ask you for a son? Did I not tell you not to get my hopes up? Elisha told Gehazi: Hurry! Take my walking stick. Do not stop to talk to anyone. If anyone speaks to you do not respond. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy. The woman said to Elisha: I swear by my loyalty to the living God Jehovah and to you that I will not leave you! So the two of them started back together. Gehazi went ahead and held Elisha's stick over the child. There was no sound or any other sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and said: The boy did not wake up. When Elisha arrived he went alone into the room. He saw the boy lying dead on the bed. He closed the door and prayed to Jehovah. Then he lay down on the boy, placing his mouth, eyes, and hands on the boy's mouth, eyes, and hands. As he lay stretched out over the boy, the boy's body started to get warm. Elisha got up and walked around the room. He returned and again stretched himself over the boy. The boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes. Elisha called Gehazi and told him to call the boy's mother. When she came in, he said to her: Take your son!
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The killing of the pet lamb
Jehovah sent Nathan to David. Nathan came to him and said: There were two men in a certain city. One was rich and the other was poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle. But the poor man had only one little female lamb that he bought. He raised her, and she grew up in his home with his children. She would eat his food and drink from his cup. She rested in his arms and was like a daughter to him. read more.
Now, a visitor came to the rich man. The rich man thought it would be a pity to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler. So he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the traveler. David became very angry with the rich man. He said: I swear by the living God Jehovah that the man who did this should die! For doing such a cruel thing he should pay back four times for the lamb he took, for he had no compassion.
Now, a visitor came to the rich man. The rich man thought it would be a pity to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler. So he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the traveler. David became very angry with the rich man. He said: I swear by the living God Jehovah that the man who did this should die! For doing such a cruel thing he should pay back four times for the lamb he took, for he had no compassion.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy king who was hid
King Ahaziah's mother Athaliah learned of her son's murder. She gave orders for all the members of the royal family to be killed. Only Ahaziah's son Jehoash escaped. He was about to be killed with the others, but was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's half sister. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom in the Temple. Jehosheba took care of the boy and kept him hidden in the Temple for six years. During this time Athaliah ruled as queen. read more.
In the seventh year Jehoiada the priest sent for the officers in charge of the royal bodyguard and of the palace guards, and told them to come to the Temple. He made them agree under oath to what he planned to do. He showed them King Ahaziah's son Joash and gave them the following orders: When you come on duty on the Sabbath, one third of you are to guard the palace. One third are to stand guard at the Sur Gate. The other third are to stand guard at the gate behind the other guards. The two groups that go off duty on the Sabbath are to stand guard at the Temple to protect the king. You are to guard King Jehoash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed. The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him, those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty. He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple. He stationed the men with drawn swords all around the front of the Temple, to protect the king. Then Jehoiada led Joash out and placed the crown on his head. He gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Jehoash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted: Long live the king!
In the seventh year Jehoiada the priest sent for the officers in charge of the royal bodyguard and of the palace guards, and told them to come to the Temple. He made them agree under oath to what he planned to do. He showed them King Ahaziah's son Joash and gave them the following orders: When you come on duty on the Sabbath, one third of you are to guard the palace. One third are to stand guard at the Sur Gate. The other third are to stand guard at the gate behind the other guards. The two groups that go off duty on the Sabbath are to stand guard at the Temple to protect the king. You are to guard King Jehoash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed. The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him, those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty. He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple. He stationed the men with drawn swords all around the front of the Temple, to protect the king. Then Jehoiada led Joash out and placed the crown on his head. He gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Jehoash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted: Long live the king!
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » Fast friends
David finished talking to Saul. Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself. Saul kept him with him that day and would not let him go home to his father's house any more. Jonathan made a covenant with David. He loved him as himself. read more.
Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing. He gave it to David along with his armor, including his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing. He gave it to David along with his armor, including his sword, his bow and his belt.
Bible stories for children » Who made the world
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and empty. Darkness covered the deep water. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters. Then God said: Let there be light! And there was light. read more.
God saw that the light was good. God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day. He called the darkness night. There was evening and there was morning, one day. Then God said: Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters. Let it separate the waters from the waters. God made the expanse. He separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. It was so. God called the expanse heaven. There was evening and there was morning, a second day. Then God said: Let the waters below the atmosphere be gathered into one place. Let the dry land appear. It was so. God called the dry land earth. The gathering of the waters He called seas. God saw that it was good. Then God said: Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them. It was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a third day. Then God said: Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. Let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years. Let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth. It was so. God made the two great lights. The sun was to govern the day. The moon was to govern the night. He made the stars also. He placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth. The lights were to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. God said: Let the waters be filled with many kinds of living beings, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky. God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves in the waters after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. God said: Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind. It was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds. He made the livestock according to their kinds and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. God saw that it was good.
God saw that the light was good. God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day. He called the darkness night. There was evening and there was morning, one day. Then God said: Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters. Let it separate the waters from the waters. God made the expanse. He separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. It was so. God called the expanse heaven. There was evening and there was morning, a second day. Then God said: Let the waters below the atmosphere be gathered into one place. Let the dry land appear. It was so. God called the dry land earth. The gathering of the waters He called seas. God saw that it was good. Then God said: Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them. It was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a third day. Then God said: Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. Let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years. Let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth. It was so. God made the two great lights. The sun was to govern the day. The moon was to govern the night. He made the stars also. He placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth. The lights were to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. God said: Let the waters be filled with many kinds of living beings, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky. God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves in the waters after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. God said: Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind. It was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds. He made the livestock according to their kinds and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. God saw that it was good.
Bible stories for children » The man who could not keep his hands from beautiful things
Achan answered Joshua: Indeed I have sinned against Jehovah the God of Israel. This I have done. When I saw among the spoils a quality Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them. I hid them in the earth in the middle of my tent. So Joshua sent messengers to the tent and found it and the silver. read more.
They took them out of the middle of the tent, and brought them to Joshua, and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before Jehovah. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. Joshua said: Why have you troubled us? Jehovah will trouble you this day. All Israel stoned them with stones. After they stoned them they burned them with fire. They raised over them a great heap of stones that is there to this day. So Jehovah turned from the fierceness of his anger. The name of that place was called, the Valley of Achor, to this day.
They took them out of the middle of the tent, and brought them to Joshua, and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before Jehovah. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. Joshua said: Why have you troubled us? Jehovah will trouble you this day. All Israel stoned them with stones. After they stoned them they burned them with fire. They raised over them a great heap of stones that is there to this day. So Jehovah turned from the fierceness of his anger. The name of that place was called, the Valley of Achor, to this day.
Bible stories for children » Gideon's fleece
Gideon said to God: You have said you will rescue Israel using me. Look I will place wool on the threshing floor where we thresh the wheat. If in the morning there is dew only on the wool but not on the ground, I will know that you are going to use me to rescue Israel. That is what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the wool and wrung enough dew out of it to fill a bowl with water. read more.
Then Gideon said to God: Do not be angry with me. Allow me to speak just once more. Please let me make one more test with the wool. This time let the wool be dry, and the ground wet. That night God did it. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew.
Then Gideon said to God: Do not be angry with me. Allow me to speak just once more. Please let me make one more test with the wool. This time let the wool be dry, and the ground wet. That night God did it. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew.
Bible stories for children » The man who won a battle with pitchers and lights
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel, and called out: Arise! Jehovah has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand. He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty jars, and lamps within the jars. He said to them: Look at me, and do as I do. When I come to the outside of the camp do the same as I do. read more.
When I blow the trumpet, all who are with me should blow the trumpets. Blow the trumpets on every side of the camp and say: 'The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon!' Gideon and the hundred men, who were with him, came to the outside of the camp. It was the beginning of the middle watch and they had just posted the new watch. They blew the trumpets, and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the jars, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands. Then they cried: The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon! Every man stood in his place around the camp. The army ran, and cried, and fled. The three hundred blew the trumpets. Jehovah set every man's sword against his companions. They turned on each other throughout all the army. The army fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.
When I blow the trumpet, all who are with me should blow the trumpets. Blow the trumpets on every side of the camp and say: 'The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon!' Gideon and the hundred men, who were with him, came to the outside of the camp. It was the beginning of the middle watch and they had just posted the new watch. They blew the trumpets, and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the jars, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands. Then they cried: The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon! Every man stood in his place around the camp. The army ran, and cried, and fled. The three hundred blew the trumpets. Jehovah set every man's sword against his companions. They turned on each other throughout all the army. The army fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.
Bible stories for children » How snake bites were healed
They moved from Mount Hor following the road that goes to the Red Sea. That way they could go around Edom. The people became impatient on the trip and criticized God and Moses. They said: Why did you make us leave Egypt only to let us die in the desert? There is no bread or water, and we cannot stand this awful food! Jehovah sent poisonous snakes among the people. They bit the people, and many of the Israelites died. read more.
The people came to Moses and said: We sinned when we criticized Jehovah and you. Pray to Jehovah so that he will take the snakes away from us. So Moses prayed for the people. Jehovah said to Moses: Make a snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. Moses made a copper snake and put it on a pole. People looked at the copper snake after they were bitten and lived.
The people came to Moses and said: We sinned when we criticized Jehovah and you. Pray to Jehovah so that he will take the snakes away from us. So Moses prayed for the people. Jehovah said to Moses: Make a snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. Moses made a copper snake and put it on a pole. People looked at the copper snake after they were bitten and lived.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The star that led to the baby's cradle
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod. Astrologers arrived in Jerusalem from the east. They asked: Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and came to offer him praise. King Herod was troubled when he heard this. Jerusalem was also troubled. read more.
He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the Law and asked where will the Messiah be born? Bethlehem in Judea, they answered. This is what the prophet wrote: Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are not the least of the leading cities of Judah. A leader will come out of you. He will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly called the astrologers to find out exactly the time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem. He said: Search diligently for the young child. When you find him, bring me word so I may come and bow down to him also. After they heard the king, they followed the star until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were overwhelmed with joy to see the star. They entered the house and saw the young child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and paid him homage. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the Law and asked where will the Messiah be born? Bethlehem in Judea, they answered. This is what the prophet wrote: Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are not the least of the leading cities of Judah. A leader will come out of you. He will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly called the astrologers to find out exactly the time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem. He said: Search diligently for the young child. When you find him, bring me word so I may come and bow down to him also. After they heard the king, they followed the star until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were overwhelmed with joy to see the star. They entered the house and saw the young child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and paid him homage. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The captive girl who returned good for evil and saved a man's life
The Syrians carried off a little Israelite girl during one of their raids against Israel. The girl became a servant of Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress: I wish my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy. Naaman heard of this and told the king what the girl said. read more.
The king said: Go to the king of Israel and take this letter to him. Naaman departed. He took thirty thousand pieces of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of fine clothes. The letter stated: This letter will introduce my officer Naaman. I want you to cure him of his leprosy. The king of Israel read the letter and tore his clothes and said: How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It is plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me! When the prophet Elisha heard what happened, he sent word to the king: Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me. I will show him that there is a prophet in Israel! Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the entrance to Elisha's house. Elisha sent a servant to tell him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River. He would then be completely cured of his disease. Naaman left in a rage, saying: I thought he would at least come out to me, pray to Jehovah his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Are not the Abanah and Pharpar rivers in Damascus better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured! His servants went up to him and said: If the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can you not just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured? So Naaman went to the Jordan River and dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed. He was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child. Naaman returned to Elisha with all his men and said: Now I realize there is no god but the God of Israel. Please accept a gift from me.
The king said: Go to the king of Israel and take this letter to him. Naaman departed. He took thirty thousand pieces of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of fine clothes. The letter stated: This letter will introduce my officer Naaman. I want you to cure him of his leprosy. The king of Israel read the letter and tore his clothes and said: How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It is plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me! When the prophet Elisha heard what happened, he sent word to the king: Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me. I will show him that there is a prophet in Israel! Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the entrance to Elisha's house. Elisha sent a servant to tell him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River. He would then be completely cured of his disease. Naaman left in a rage, saying: I thought he would at least come out to me, pray to Jehovah his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Are not the Abanah and Pharpar rivers in Damascus better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured! His servants went up to him and said: If the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can you not just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured? So Naaman went to the Jordan River and dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed. He was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child. Naaman returned to Elisha with all his men and said: Now I realize there is no god but the God of Israel. Please accept a gift from me.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The prophet fed by the birds
Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab: By the living Jehovah, the God of Israel, whose servant I am, there will be no dew or rain in these years, but only at my word. Then the word of Jehovah came to him, saying: Go east from here and hide by the Cherith Brook, east of Jordan. read more.
You will drink from the brook. I have ordered the ravens to feed you there. So he did as Jehovah said, living by the Cherith Brook, east of Jordan. The ravens took him bread in the morning and meat in the evening. And he drank water from the brook.
You will drink from the brook. I have ordered the ravens to feed you there. So he did as Jehovah said, living by the Cherith Brook, east of Jordan. The ravens took him bread in the morning and meat in the evening. And he drank water from the brook.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The chariot of fire
Elijah said to Elisha: Tell me what you want me to do for you before I am taken from you. Elisha answered: Let me receive a double share of your spirit (power). That is a difficult request to grant, Elijah replied. But you will receive it if you see me as I am being taken away from you. If you do not see me, you will not receive it. They kept talking as they walked. Then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them. Elijah was taken up into the physical heaven (the sky) by a whirlwind.
Bible stories for children » The baby's cry that won his way to a palace
A man from Levi's family married a Levite woman. The woman became pregnant and bore a son. She saw how beautiful he was and hid him for three months. When she could not hide him any longer, she took a basket made of papyrus reeds and coated it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in it and set it among the papyrus reeds near the bank of the Nile River. read more.
The baby's sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. The king's daughter came to the river to bathe. Her servants walked along the bank. Suddenly she noticed the basket in the papyrus reeds and sent a slave woman to get it. She opened it and saw a baby boy. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. This is one of the Hebrew babies, she said. His sister asked her: Shall I go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for you? Please do, she answered. So the girl went and brought the baby's own mother. Pharaoh's daughter told her: Take care of this child, and I will pay you. The baby's mother carried him home and took care of him. When he was old enough, she took him to the king's daughter, who adopted him. She named him Moses because she said: I pulled him out of the water.
The baby's sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. The king's daughter came to the river to bathe. Her servants walked along the bank. Suddenly she noticed the basket in the papyrus reeds and sent a slave woman to get it. She opened it and saw a baby boy. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. This is one of the Hebrew babies, she said. His sister asked her: Shall I go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for you? Please do, she answered. So the girl went and brought the baby's own mother. Pharaoh's daughter told her: Take care of this child, and I will pay you. The baby's mother carried him home and took care of him. When he was old enough, she took him to the king's daughter, who adopted him. She named him Moses because she said: I pulled him out of the water.
Bible stories for children » The woman who exchanged her home and all she had for an apple
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals Jehovah God had made. He said to the woman: Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden? The woman said to the serpent: We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. However, God did say: 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not touch it, or you will die.' read more.
You will not die, the serpent said to the woman. God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened. Then you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
You will not die, the serpent said to the woman. God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened. Then you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Bible stories for children » A band that captured a city by marching around it thirteen times
Now Jericho was tightly shut up because the people were afraid of the children of Israel. No one went out, and no one came in. Jehovah said to Joshua: See, I have given into your hand Jericho, and the king there, and the mighty men of valor. March around the city with all your armed men. Go around the city once per day for six days. read more.
Seven priests will carry before you seven trumpets of rams' horns along with the Ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times. The priests shall blow the trumpets. When you hear a long blast with the ram's horn, all the people will shout with a great shout. The wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up, every man straight in to the city. Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them: Take up the Ark of the Covenant. Seven priests should carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of Jehovah. He said to the people: Pass on, and circle the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the Ark of Jehovah. As soon as Joshua spoke to the people the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed before Jehovah. They blew the trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah followed them. The armed men marched ahead of the priests that blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the Ark. All the time the priests kept blowing the trumpets. Joshua commanded the people, saying: You will not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither will any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout. Then you will shout. So the Ark of Jehovah went around the city one time. They came to the camp, and stayed in the camp. Joshua rose early in the morning. The priests picked up the Ark of Jehovah. Seven priests carrying seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of Jehovah went on continually, and blew with the trumpets. The armed men went before them. The rear guard followed the Ark of Jehovah. The priests were blowing the trumpet. And the second day they went around the city once, and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. They rose early at dawn on the seventh day. They circled the city in the same manner. Only on that day they went around the city seven times. On the seventh time when the priest blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people: Shout for Jehovah has given you the city. The city and everything in it will be destroyed. It belongs to Jehovah. Only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in her house will live. Because she hid the messengers we sent. You people must stay away from anything devoted to destruction. You should not take things from the city. You will cause trouble for the camp of Israel is you take of the accursed things. All the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated to Jehovah. They must come into the treasury of Jehovah. So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, the wall fell down flat. The people went into the city, every man straight ahead. They captured the city.
Seven priests will carry before you seven trumpets of rams' horns along with the Ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times. The priests shall blow the trumpets. When you hear a long blast with the ram's horn, all the people will shout with a great shout. The wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up, every man straight in to the city. Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them: Take up the Ark of the Covenant. Seven priests should carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of Jehovah. He said to the people: Pass on, and circle the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the Ark of Jehovah. As soon as Joshua spoke to the people the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed before Jehovah. They blew the trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah followed them. The armed men marched ahead of the priests that blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the Ark. All the time the priests kept blowing the trumpets. Joshua commanded the people, saying: You will not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither will any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout. Then you will shout. So the Ark of Jehovah went around the city one time. They came to the camp, and stayed in the camp. Joshua rose early in the morning. The priests picked up the Ark of Jehovah. Seven priests carrying seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of Jehovah went on continually, and blew with the trumpets. The armed men went before them. The rear guard followed the Ark of Jehovah. The priests were blowing the trumpet. And the second day they went around the city once, and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. They rose early at dawn on the seventh day. They circled the city in the same manner. Only on that day they went around the city seven times. On the seventh time when the priest blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people: Shout for Jehovah has given you the city. The city and everything in it will be destroyed. It belongs to Jehovah. Only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in her house will live. Because she hid the messengers we sent. You people must stay away from anything devoted to destruction. You should not take things from the city. You will cause trouble for the camp of Israel is you take of the accursed things. All the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated to Jehovah. They must come into the treasury of Jehovah. So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, the wall fell down flat. The people went into the city, every man straight ahead. They captured the city.
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham heard about this. He stood on top of Mount Gerizim and shouted out to them: Men of Shechem, listen to me and God may listen to you! The trees went out to anoint a king over them. They said to the olive tree: 'Be our king.' The olive tree answered: 'I would have to stop producing my oil in order to govern you. My oil is used to honor gods and human beings.' read more.
Then the trees said to the fig tree: 'Come and be our king.' The fig tree replied: 'I would have to stop producing my good sweet fruit that I may govern you.' Then the trees spoke to the grapevine: 'You come and be our king.' But the vine answered: 'I could not govern you for I would have to stop producing my wine. It makes gods and human beings happy.' So then all the trees said to the thorn bush: 'You come and be our king! The thorn bush answered: 'If you really want to make me your king, then come and take shelter in my shade. If you do not, fire will blaze out of my thorny branches and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
Then the trees said to the fig tree: 'Come and be our king.' The fig tree replied: 'I would have to stop producing my good sweet fruit that I may govern you.' Then the trees spoke to the grapevine: 'You come and be our king.' But the vine answered: 'I could not govern you for I would have to stop producing my wine. It makes gods and human beings happy.' So then all the trees said to the thorn bush: 'You come and be our king! The thorn bush answered: 'If you really want to make me your king, then come and take shelter in my shade. If you do not, fire will blaze out of my thorny branches and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » Mr selfishness, mr curiosity, mr kind-hearted
Jesus answered: A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead. A priest traveled on that road. When he saw him he passed by on the other side. When a Levite came to the place he saw the man and passed by on the other side. read more.
Then a Samaritan arrived where he was. He was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn to take care of him. The next day he paid the host two shillings. He said take care of him and if you spend more I will repay you when I return. Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said: The one who showed mercy to him. Jesus said to him: Go and you do like wise.
Then a Samaritan arrived where he was. He was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn to take care of him. The next day he paid the host two shillings. He said take care of him and if you spend more I will repay you when I return. Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said: The one who showed mercy to him. Jesus said to him: Go and you do like wise.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » Nine men who forgot to say "thank you"
Entering a village he met ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease. They shouted: Jesus! Master! Have pity on us! When he saw them he told them to go show themselves to the priests. They were cleansed on the way. read more.
When he was healed, one of them came back and praised God in a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus answered: Were all ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Were the others not willing to return with this foreigner to give glory to God? He said: Arise and go your way. Your faith has made you whole.
When he was healed, one of them came back and praised God in a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus answered: Were all ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Were the others not willing to return with this foreigner to give glory to God? He said: Arise and go your way. Your faith has made you whole.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The song that opened the jail doors
A young woman who had a spirit of divination met us as we were going to the place of prayer. She brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and cried out: These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation. She did this for many days. This troubled Paul. So he turned and said to the spirit, I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out that very hour. read more.
When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. They took them to the magistrates and said: These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city. They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. The crowd rose up against them. The magistrates ripped their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe. Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a massive earthquake. It was so great the foundations of the prison-house were shaken. All the doors were opened and everyone's bands came off. The jailor, who was roused out of sleep and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Paul cried with a loud voice: Do not harm yourself for we are all here.
When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. They took them to the magistrates and said: These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city. They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. The crowd rose up against them. The magistrates ripped their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe. Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a massive earthquake. It was so great the foundations of the prison-house were shaken. All the doors were opened and everyone's bands came off. The jailor, who was roused out of sleep and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Paul cried with a loud voice: Do not harm yourself for we are all here.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The men who were invited to a feast
Jesus said: There was a man who gave a great feast to which he invited many people. He sent his servant to tell the guests that everything is ready. They all made excuses one after another. The first one told the servant: 'I bought a field and must go and look at it. Please accept my apologies.' read more.
Another said: 'I purchased five pairs of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.' Another explained: 'I am newly married and I cannot come.' The servant returned and conveyed this to his master. The master was furious. He commanded his servant to hurry into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. The servant soon told his master, 'Your order has been carried out but there is still more room.' The master told the servant, 'Go to the country roads and lanes and make people come so my house will be full.' None of those who were invited will taste my dinner! He said.
Another said: 'I purchased five pairs of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.' Another explained: 'I am newly married and I cannot come.' The servant returned and conveyed this to his master. The master was furious. He commanded his servant to hurry into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. The servant soon told his master, 'Your order has been carried out but there is still more room.' The master told the servant, 'Go to the country roads and lanes and make people come so my house will be full.' None of those who were invited will taste my dinner! He said.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The man the lions would not eat
It pleased Darius to appoint a hundred and twenty governors over the kingdom. They were to be located throughout the whole kingdom. Three commissioners were placed over them. Daniel was one of the commissioners. These governors were to give account to them so that the king would not suffer loss. Daniel was distinguished above the other commissioners and the governors because an excellent spirit (mind) was in him. Therefore the king thought to set him over the whole realm. read more.
Then the commissioners and the governors sought to find a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom. They could find no charge, nor error, nor fault, for he was faithful. These men said: We shall not find any charge against Daniel, unless we find it against him in the Law of his God. Then these commissioners and governors assembled before the king, and said: King Darius, may you live for a very long time. All the governors of the kingdom, the deputies and the governors, the counselors consulted together to establish a royal statute. They made a strong decree, that whoever prays to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree by signing the document. That it will not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered. King Darius signed the document for the decree. Daniel knew that the decree was signed. He went into his house. His windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, like he did before. These men assembled together. They found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. They approached the king about his decree: Did you sign a decree stating that every man that shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions? The king answered: The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered. Then they said: Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, does not show you respect, O king, nor the decree that you signed. He offers his prayer three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased with himself. He was determined that Daniel not be delivered to him; and he labored all day to rescue him. Then these men assembled before the king and said: Know, O king that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king establishes may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and threw him into the den of lions. The king spoke to Daniel: Your God whom you serve will deliver you. A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. The king went to his palace and did not eat. He refused musical entertainment and he could not sleep. He arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. He came near to the den and cried with a lamentable voice to Daniel: O Daniel, servant of the living God, did the God you serve deliver you from the lion? Daniel said to the king: O king, may you live for a very long time. My God sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths. They did not hurt me. I was found innocent before him. I have done no wrong before you, O king.
Then the commissioners and the governors sought to find a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom. They could find no charge, nor error, nor fault, for he was faithful. These men said: We shall not find any charge against Daniel, unless we find it against him in the Law of his God. Then these commissioners and governors assembled before the king, and said: King Darius, may you live for a very long time. All the governors of the kingdom, the deputies and the governors, the counselors consulted together to establish a royal statute. They made a strong decree, that whoever prays to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree by signing the document. That it will not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered. King Darius signed the document for the decree. Daniel knew that the decree was signed. He went into his house. His windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, like he did before. These men assembled together. They found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. They approached the king about his decree: Did you sign a decree stating that every man that shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions? The king answered: The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered. Then they said: Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, does not show you respect, O king, nor the decree that you signed. He offers his prayer three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased with himself. He was determined that Daniel not be delivered to him; and he labored all day to rescue him. Then these men assembled before the king and said: Know, O king that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king establishes may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and threw him into the den of lions. The king spoke to Daniel: Your God whom you serve will deliver you. A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. The king went to his palace and did not eat. He refused musical entertainment and he could not sleep. He arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. He came near to the den and cried with a lamentable voice to Daniel: O Daniel, servant of the living God, did the God you serve deliver you from the lion? Daniel said to the king: O king, may you live for a very long time. My God sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths. They did not hurt me. I was found innocent before him. I have done no wrong before you, O king.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The boy who ran away from home
Jesus said: A man had two sons. The younger one said to him, Father I want my share of the property. He divided his property between his two sons. In a short time the younger son sold his share of the property. He left home with the money and traveled to a far away country where he wasted his money in reckless living. read more.
He spent everything! When a famine spread over that country he was left with nothing. He went to work for a citizen of that country who sent him to his farm to take care of the pigs. He wanted to eat the Carob bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. Finally it dawned on him, my father's hired workers have more than they can eat and I am about to starve! I will go to my father and say: 'Father I have sinned against God and against you. I am not fit to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired workers.' He went to his father. He was a long way from home when his father saw him. His heart filled with pity. He ran and threw his arms around his son and kissed him. Father, the son said: 'I have sinned against God and against you. I am not fit to be called your son.' The father called his servants. He said: 'Hurry and bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Get the prize calf and kill it. Let us celebrate with a feast! My son was dead. Now he is alive. He was lost. Now he has been found. The feasting began.'
He spent everything! When a famine spread over that country he was left with nothing. He went to work for a citizen of that country who sent him to his farm to take care of the pigs. He wanted to eat the Carob bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. Finally it dawned on him, my father's hired workers have more than they can eat and I am about to starve! I will go to my father and say: 'Father I have sinned against God and against you. I am not fit to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired workers.' He went to his father. He was a long way from home when his father saw him. His heart filled with pity. He ran and threw his arms around his son and kissed him. Father, the son said: 'I have sinned against God and against you. I am not fit to be called your son.' The father called his servants. He said: 'Hurry and bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Get the prize calf and kill it. Let us celebrate with a feast! My son was dead. Now he is alive. He was lost. Now he has been found. The feasting began.'
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » An eating and drinking contest won by four temperance young men
The king ordered Ashpenaz the chief of his officials to bring in some of the Israelites including some of the royal family and nobles. These were young people who had no defects. They were good looking and intelligent, with knowledge. They showed wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of science. They had ability to serve in the king's court and were taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans. The king assigned a daily amount of the king's special rich food for them and also the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years. At the end of that time they would serve the king. read more.
Now among these children of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The officer in charge gave names to them: To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego. Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's special food and wine. He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself. God caused the officer in charge to show special favor and kindness to Daniel. The officer in charge said to Daniel: I fear my lord the king. He has appointed your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age? Would you endanger my head with the king? Daniel answered the officer appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Test your servants, please, for ten days. Give them vegetables to eat and water to drink. You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the king's special food. Then you deal with us according to what you see. So he listened to them and allowed them to prove the matter for ten days. They looked better when the ten days ended! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the king's special food.
Now among these children of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The officer in charge gave names to them: To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego. Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's special food and wine. He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself. God caused the officer in charge to show special favor and kindness to Daniel. The officer in charge said to Daniel: I fear my lord the king. He has appointed your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age? Would you endanger my head with the king? Daniel answered the officer appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Test your servants, please, for ten days. Give them vegetables to eat and water to drink. You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the king's special food. Then you deal with us according to what you see. So he listened to them and allowed them to prove the matter for ten days. They looked better when the ten days ended! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the king's special food.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The minister's boys who were saved from slavery
The widow of a member of a group of prophets said to Elisha: My husband has died! As you know, he was a man who respected God. A man to whom he owed money came to take away my two sons as slaves in payment for my husband's debt. Elisha said: Tell me what shall I do for you? What do you have at home? She answered: Except for a small jar of olive oil, I have nothing. Ask your neighbors for empty jars. Borrow as many as you can, Elisha told her. read more.
You and your sons go into the house and shut the door behind you. Pour oil into the jars. Set each one aside as soon as it is full. The woman went into her house with her sons. They closed the door and took the small jar of olive oil, and poured oil into the jars as her sons brought them to her. When the jars were full she asked if there were any more. That was the last one, one of her sons told her. So the olive oil stopped flowing. She returned to Elisha, the prophet. He said: Sell the olive oil and pay all your debts. There will be enough money left over for you and your sons to pay your living expenses.
You and your sons go into the house and shut the door behind you. Pour oil into the jars. Set each one aside as soon as it is full. The woman went into her house with her sons. They closed the door and took the small jar of olive oil, and poured oil into the jars as her sons brought them to her. When the jars were full she asked if there were any more. That was the last one, one of her sons told her. So the olive oil stopped flowing. She returned to Elisha, the prophet. He said: Sell the olive oil and pay all your debts. There will be enough money left over for you and your sons to pay your living expenses.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The handsome prince caught in a tree
Absalom happened to come face to face with some of David's men. He was riding on a mule. The mule went under the tangled branches of a large tree. Absalom's head became caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair when the mule under him ran away.
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The borrowed axe that floated
The group of prophets Elisha was in charge of complained to him: The place where we live is too small! Allow us to go to the Jordan and cut down some trees. We can build a place to live. Elisha answered: Go. One of them urged him to go with them and he agreed. read more.
They set out together and when they arrived at the Jordan they cut down trees. One of them was cutting down a tree when suddenly his ax head fell in the water. It was a borrowed ax, he exclaimed to Elisha. What will I do? Elisha said: Where did it fall? The man showed him the place. Elisha cut off a stick. Then he threw it in the water and made the ax head float. Pick it up, he ordered. The man put his hand in the water and picked it up.
They set out together and when they arrived at the Jordan they cut down trees. One of them was cutting down a tree when suddenly his ax head fell in the water. It was a borrowed ax, he exclaimed to Elisha. What will I do? Elisha said: Where did it fall? The man showed him the place. Elisha cut off a stick. Then he threw it in the water and made the ax head float. Pick it up, he ordered. The man put his hand in the water and picked it up.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The lost boy who was found in the church
The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and was blessed by God. Every year his parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old they went to the feast of the Passover, as was their custom. read more.
When the feast ended they started the return trip. Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know this. They thought he was in the traveling company. After a day's journey they looked for him among their relatives and friends. When they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening and asking them questions. All that heard him were amazed at his understanding. When they saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him: Son, why did you treat us this way? Your father and I have searched for you and we have been worried. He said: Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? They did not understand what he said to them. He went with them to Nazareth. He remained subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
When the feast ended they started the return trip. Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know this. They thought he was in the traveling company. After a day's journey they looked for him among their relatives and friends. When they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening and asking them questions. All that heard him were amazed at his understanding. When they saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him: Son, why did you treat us this way? Your father and I have searched for you and we have been worried. He said: Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? They did not understand what he said to them. He went with them to Nazareth. He remained subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The boy whose lunch fed 5000 men
Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming to him. He asked Philip: Where will we buy enough bread to feed them? He said this to test him for he knew what he would do. Philip answered: Two hundred shillings' worth of bread is not sufficient for everyone to take a little. read more.
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, one of his disciples said: There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish. What are these among so many? Jesus said: Make the people sit down. There were about five thousand men who sat down on the grass. Jesus gave thanks and then he distributed the loaves along with the fish to those sitting on the grass. When they were filled he told the disciples to gather up the broken pieces left over so nothing would be wasted. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers after everyone had eaten.
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, one of his disciples said: There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish. What are these among so many? Jesus said: Make the people sit down. There were about five thousand men who sat down on the grass. Jesus gave thanks and then he distributed the loaves along with the fish to those sitting on the grass. When they were filled he told the disciples to gather up the broken pieces left over so nothing would be wasted. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers after everyone had eaten.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » Shaking off vipers
When we made it to shore safely we learned that the island was called Malta. The natives there were very friendly to us. It started to rain and was cold, so they built a fire and made us all welcome. Paul gathered an armful of sticks and put them on the fire. A snake came out on account of the heat and fastened itself to his hand. read more.
The natives saw the snake hanging on Paul's hand and said to one another: This man must be a murderer, but Fate will not let him live, even though he escaped from the sea. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without being harmed at all. The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. They waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him. They changed their minds and said he was a god.
The natives saw the snake hanging on Paul's hand and said to one another: This man must be a murderer, but Fate will not let him live, even though he escaped from the sea. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without being harmed at all. The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. They waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him. They changed their minds and said he was a god.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » The fatal lie
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. They kept back part of the money. His wife was also knowledgeable of the transaction. They brought part of the funds to the apostles. Peter said: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the money from the land sale? read more.
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? Why did you conceive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Hearing these words Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came over all those who heard these things. The young men arose, covered him up, and carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. Peter said to her: Tell me whether you sold the land for such a price? And she said: Yes, we did. Then Peter said: How is it that you have agreed together to put Jehovah's Spirit to the test? Look, those who buried your husband are at the door to carry you out. Then she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, and found her dead. They carried her out to be buried by her husband.
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? Why did you conceive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Hearing these words Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came over all those who heard these things. The young men arose, covered him up, and carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. Peter said to her: Tell me whether you sold the land for such a price? And she said: Yes, we did. Then Peter said: How is it that you have agreed together to put Jehovah's Spirit to the test? Look, those who buried your husband are at the door to carry you out. Then she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, and found her dead. They carried her out to be buried by her husband.
Bible stories for children » Three young men who would not bend, budge, or burn da 3 » Thirty-eight years beside a pool and never a chance to get in
After this the Jews had a Festival (holy day), and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. There is a pool by the sheep-market gate at Jerusalem. It is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethzatha. It has five porches (colonnades). In these lay a great crowd of sick people, of blind and lame waiting for the water to bubble up. read more.
(Not in older manuscripts.) A man who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years was present. Jesus saw him lying there. He knew that he had been sick for a long time. So he asked him: Do you want to get well? The sick man replied: I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred. Others step down before I can go. Jesus said: Arise pick up your bed and walk. Immediately the man was made whole. He picked up his bed and walked. It happened on the Sabbath day.
(Not in older manuscripts.) A man who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years was present. Jesus saw him lying there. He knew that he had been sick for a long time. So he asked him: Do you want to get well? The sick man replied: I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred. Others step down before I can go. Jesus said: Arise pick up your bed and walk. Immediately the man was made whole. He picked up his bed and walked. It happened on the Sabbath day.