Obadiah Hides a Hundred Prophets 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: “Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.”
For three long years, there was no rain in the land. The ground was dry and hard. Not much food could grow. People were hungry, and the animals were hungry too.
Obadiah worked for King Ahab. He took care of the king’s whole house. But King Ahab and Queen Jezebel did not love God. Obadiah was different. Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.
To fear the LORD means to love God and honor him most of all.
Queen Jezebel wanted all of God’s prophets to die. Prophets are people who tell God’s words. They were in great danger!
But Obadiah was brave. He took one hundred prophets. He hid them in two caves – fifty in each cave. A cave is a big hole in the rocks. It is like a room made of stone. Let’s count by tens to fifty: ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty!
Obadiah brought them bread and water. Bread to eat and water to drink, for one hundred hungry men! He fed them in secret, so the queen would not find out. Shhh! Can you tiptoe quietly with a pretend basket of bread? Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.
Then the LORD spoke to his prophet Elijah. “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain on the earth.” Rain was coming at last! So Elijah went to find King Ahab.
King Ahab called Obadiah. “Go through the land, to all the springs of water,” he said. They needed grass for the horses and mules. So the king went one way, all by himself. And Obadiah went another way, all by himself.
On the way, who do you think Obadiah met? Elijah, God’s prophet! Obadiah bowed down low, with his face to the ground. “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” he said.
“It is I,” said Elijah. “Go, tell your lord: Behold, Elijah is here!”
But Obadiah was afraid. “There is no nation where my lord has not sent to seek you,” he said. King Ahab had looked for Elijah in every land. “The LORD’s Spirit will carry you I don’t know where,” said Obadiah. Then the king would not find Elijah. And the king would be very angry with Obadiah.
“I have feared the LORD from my youth,” said Obadiah. From my youth means since I was a boy. “I hid one hundred men of the LORD’s prophets.” Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.
“As the LORD of Armies lives, before whom I stand,” said Elijah. “I will surely show myself to him today.” The LORD of Armies is God, the great King of heaven.
So Obadiah went and told King Ahab. And the king went to meet Elijah. Soon after that, the sky grew black with clouds and wind. And there was a great rain, just as God had promised. Pitter, patter, pitter, patter! Can you make the sound of rain with your fingers?
God saw everything Obadiah did to help his prophets. And God sees every kind thing you do too. Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the prophets felt when Obadiah brought them bread?
- Why do you think Obadiah was brave enough to hide the prophets?
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)
Color the 2 caves where Obadiah hid the prophets, and the bread and water he brought.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.” — 1 Kings 18:3 (Obadiah → point to a friend; feared the LORD → bow your head; greatly → spread your arms wide)
Dear God, thank you for brave helpers like Obadiah. Thank you that you see when we help others. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Quiet Bravery Matters
Memory verse: “Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.” — 1 Kings 18:3 · WEB
The Bible story
When a wicked queen wants to harm God's prophets, a brave palace helper named Obadiah hides one hundred of them in secret caves and keeps them safe.
Talk about it
- Where did Obadiah work? — In the king's palace
- How did Obadiah feel about God? — He loved and honored God
- Who wanted to harm God's prophets? — Queen Jezebel
- How many prophets did Obadiah hide? — One hundred
- Where did Obadiah hide the prophets? — In two caves
- What did Obadiah bring the prophets? — Bread and water
Where is Jesus in this story?
Obadiah risked his life to feed God's prophets with bread and water (1 Kings 18:4). Jesus said that anyone who welcomes a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and that even a cup of cold water given to one of His followers will not be forgotten (Matthew 10:41–42). Jesus notices every quiet act of kindness done for His people.
What God wants to tell us
Obadiah did not shout or fight, but he was very brave in a quiet way. He cared for God's helpers when no one was watching, and God saw every kind thing he did. God shows us that even small, hidden acts of love and courage are precious to Him. You can be brave and kind in quiet ways too, and God will always be right beside you.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for brave helpers like Obadiah who kept Your prophets safe. Help me to be kind and brave in quiet ways, even when no one is looking. Thank You for always watching over me and loving me. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
