Joash, the Boy King — and the Offering Chest Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “God kept the little prince safe.”
A wicked queen named Athaliah took over the land of Judah. Maybe she wanted to rule all by herself. So she tried to get rid of the whole royal family. Even the little princes were in danger.
But there was a baby prince named Joash. His aunt Jehosheba took him away, quickly and quietly. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom. A nurse is a woman who takes care of a baby. Shh! Can you put your finger on your lips? God kept the little prince safe.
Then Joash was hidden with his aunt in the LORD’s house – God’s temple. It was a big, beautiful house where people came to pray. Little Joash lived there for six years. The queen did not find him. God kept the little prince safe.
In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest called the captains and the guards. A priest is a man who serves God in his house. Jehoiada brought the captains into the LORD’s house. He made a promise with them. Then he showed them the king’s son.
Jehoiada told the guards what to do. He made three groups. Let’s count them: one, two, three! One group watched the king’s house. The other two watched the gates.
Jehoiada gave the captains spears and shields. They had once belonged to King David! They were kept in the LORD’s house.
The guards stood all around the boy, from one side of the temple to the other. Every man stood ready. God kept the little prince safe.
Joash was seven years old now. Can you count to seven on your fingers? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven!
Then Jehoiada brought out the prince. He put the crown on his head. He gave him the covenant – God’s words of promise. They poured oil on his head to make him king. The people clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!” Can you clap your hands and say it too?
The new little king stood by a tall pillar, as the kings always did. The trumpets blew. Toot, toot! All the people were glad. The wicked queen could not rule anymore. God kept the little prince safe.
Jehoiada made a promise between the LORD and the king and the people. They would be the LORD’s people. Then everyone walked with the king to the king’s house. And little King Joash sat on the throne. The city was quiet again.
King Joash did what was right in the LORD’s eyes. Jehoiada the priest taught him. Joash was king for forty years.
When Joash was grown up, God’s house was broken in many places. It needed fixing. But for a long time, nobody fixed it.
So Jehoiada the priest took a chest – a big box. He made a hole in its lid. He set it beside the altar in the LORD’s house. The people brought money to the LORD’s house, and it went into the box. Clink, clink, clink!
Soon there was much money in the chest. They put the money in bags and counted it. The money paid the builders and the stone cutters. It bought wood and stones. And they fixed the LORD’s house.
The LORD had watched over Joash from the very start, when he was just a baby. God kept the little prince safe.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think little Joash did all those years in God’s house?
- How do you think the people felt when they saw their new little king?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw the big box with a hole in its lid, and the coins going in.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.” — 2 Kings 11:21 (seven years old → hold up seven fingers; began to reign → hands make a crown on your head)
Dear God, thank you that you watch over children. Thank you for keeping me safe. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God protects and God provides
Memory verse: “Jehoash did that which was right in the LORD's eyes all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” — 2 Kings 12:2 · WEB
The Bible story
A wicked queen tried to take the throne, but a brave aunt hid a baby prince for six years — and one day that little boy became king!
Talk about it
- What was the name of the baby prince in this story? — Joash
- Who was the cruel queen who wanted the throne for herself? — Athaliah
- Who bravely hid the baby to keep him safe? — His aunt Jehosheba
- Where was baby Joash hidden away safely? — In God's temple
- How many years did Joash stay hidden in the temple? — Six years
- How old was Joash when he became king? — Seven years old
Where is Jesus in this story?
When wicked Athaliah tried to kill the whole royal family, baby Joash was hidden and saved (2 Kings 11:1–2). God had promised David a forever King from his family (2 Samuel 7:16). By protecting one little boy, God kept that promise alive, and many years later Jesus was born as “the son of David” (Matthew 1:1).
What God wants to tell us
God watched over baby Joash even when danger was all around, keeping him safe for six quiet years until just the right time. God does not forget the small and hidden ones. And when Joash grew up and wanted to help God's house, God provided through the joyful giving of ordinary people. This story reminds us that God cares for us when we feel small, and that every little gift we give with love can do something wonderful for Him.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for watching over me even when I feel small or afraid. Thank You that You always have a good plan. Help me to love You and to give to others with a happy heart, just like the people who filled the offering chest. Amen.
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