Good Kings and Bad Kings for Kids: The Bible Story Explained Simply

Series: Solomon and the Kingdom (Episode 09 of 10) | Scripture: 1 Kings | Ages 7+

Good Kings and Bad Kings is a Bible story from 1 Kings in the Old Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

Watch the Full Story of Good Kings and Bad Kings

Watch Good Kings and Bad Kings in our 60-second video lesson. Your child can follow along and take a quiz after to check what they learned.

Watch "Good Kings and Bad Kings" on Faithful Kids

Part of our Solomon and the Kingdom series, 10 episodes covering wisdom, worship, consequences, choices.

What Is the Story of Good Kings and Bad Kings for Kids?

SOLOMON & THE KINGDOM — Episode 9: Good Kings and Bad Kings Bible Reference: 1 & 2 Kings (highlights) Series: Solomon & the Kingdom

Hey everyone — strap in! After the kingdom split, centuries of kings followed — some incredible, some terrible. The contrast is stunning.

The Northern Kingdom — Israel — spiraled almost immediately. Jeroboam was worried his people would go to Jerusalem to worship and return to Rehoboam. So he built two golden calves — one in Dan, one in Bethel — and said, "Here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt!" Sound familiar? It's EXACTLY what Israel did at Mount Sinai. They didn't learn. From that point, nearly every king of Israel was evil — worshipping idols, ignoring prophets, pulling people further from God.

Down south in Judah? Different story. Not perfect — kings like Ahaz sacrificed his own children to false gods. But God raised up remarkable leaders too.

This story comes from 1 Kings and is part of the Old Testament.

What Does the Story of Good Kings and Bad Kings Teach Children?

The story of Good Kings and Bad Kings teaches children important lessons about wisdom, worship, consequences, choices:

• This story teaches children about wisdom in a way they can understand
• God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
• Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world

Key Bible Verse

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart." — Proverbs 3:5

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

What did Jeroboam set up in the Northern Kingdom that led Israel into idol worship?

Jeroboam was afraid his people would return to Jerusalem to worship, so he built two golden calves — one in Dan and one in Bethel — and told the people these were their gods. It echoed the same sin Israel committed at Mount Sinai.

What did King Hezekiah do when the Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem?

Instead of panicking or surrendering, Hezekiah brought the threatening letter before God in the temple and prayed for deliverance. That night, God sent an angel who defeated the Assyrian army of 185,000 soldiers.

How old was Josiah when he became king, and what did he find that changed the nation?

Josiah became king at just eight years old. When he was about twenty-six, workers repairing the temple discovered the forgotten Book of the Law. When Josiah heard it read, he wept, tore down every idol in the land, and led the greatest spiritual revival Judah had ever seen.

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

1. What was your favorite part of the story of Good Kings and Bad Kings?
2. What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
3. How can we be more like Good in our own lives?
4. If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
5. What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Solomon and the Kingdom Series

This story is episode 09 of 10 in the Solomon and the Kingdom series:

• Solomon Asks for Wisdom for Kids
• Solomons Wise Judgment for Kids
• Building the Temple for Kids
• The Temple is Dedicated for Kids
• The Queen of Sheba for Kids
• Solomons Proverbs for Kids
• Solomon Turns Away for Kids
• The Kingdom Splits for Kids
• The Northern Kingdom Falls for Kids

400+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 400+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is 60 seconds, designed for kids Ages 7+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of Good Kings and Bad Kings about for kids?

Good Kings and Bad Kings is a story from 1 Kings. SOLOMON & THE KINGDOM — Episode 9: Good Kings and Bad Kings Bible Reference: 1 & 2 Kings (highlights) Series: Solomon & the Kingdom

What age is the story of Good Kings and Bad Kings appropriate for?

This retelling of Good Kings and Bad Kings is designed for children Ages 7+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is 60 seconds long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is Good Kings and Bad Kings found in the Bible?

Good Kings and Bad Kings is found in 1 Kings in the Old Testament. It is part of the Solomon and the Kingdom series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of Good Kings and Bad Kings for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a 60-second video retelling of Good Kings and Bad Kings designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use Good Kings and Bad Kings for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the 60-second Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does Good Kings and Bad Kings teach kids?

The story of Good Kings and Bad Kings teaches children about wisdom, worship, consequences, choices. This story teaches children about wisdom in a way they can understand.