Single lesson
Othniel Delivers Israel
Judges 3:7–11
In this lesson, children trace the order of this short account: Israel does evil, serves another king, cries to Yahweh, and Yahweh raises Othniel to save them.
Before you teach
Judges 3:7–11 gives a brief account about Israel, Cushan Rishathaim, and Othniel. The passage explains what Israel did, how Yahweh responded, what happened when the people cried to Yahweh, and the result for the land after Othniel’s work.
Students will be able to sequence Judges 3:7–11 and explain that this passage shows Israel’s evil, Yahweh’s response, Yahweh’s rescue through Othniel, and a time of rest.
Welcome: Hear the order of the account
4 minTell the children they will hear a very short Bible account with a clear order. Ask them to listen for four parts: what Israel did, what happened next, what the people did, and what Yahweh did through Othniel. This helps them follow the sequence carefully from the verses.
Judges 3:7, Judges 3:8, Judges 3:9, Judges 3:10, Judges 3:11
Read and explain: Israel forgets Yahweh
7 minRead verses 7–8 aloud. Explain that the passage says Israel did evil in Yahweh’s sight, forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Then Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and they served Cushan Rishathaim for eight years. Keep the focus on what these verses plainly say.
Judges 3:7, Judges 3:8
Discuss: Yahweh raises Othniel
7 minRead verses 9–10. Point out the order: the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh raised up a saviour, Othniel. The passage says Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, he judged Israel, he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered the king into his hand. Ask children to notice who gives the rescue.
Judges 3:9, Judges 3:10
Make and respond: Sequence cards
8 minChildren make five simple cards with key moments from the passage: Israel did evil, Israel served the king eight years, Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised Othniel and gave victory, the land had rest forty years. After arranging them in order, children retell the account to a partner using the Bible wording where possible.
Judges 3:7, Judges 3:8, Judges 3:9, Judges 3:10, Judges 3:11
Closing: Rest after deliverance
4 minRead verse 11 to finish. Explain that the passage says the land had rest forty years, then Othniel died. Review the sequence together in one sentence per child or as a group. End by asking children what this account teaches them about Yahweh’s response when his people cry to him.
Judges 3:11, Judges 3:9, Judges 3:10
Questions to explore
What three things does verse 7 say Israel did wrong?
Look closely at the wording: they did evil in Yahweh’s sight, forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
Judges 3:7
What happened when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh?
The verse says Yahweh raised up a saviour for the children of Israel, even Othniel.
Judges 3:9
Who gave Othniel victory over Cushan Rishathaim?
Verse 10 says Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim into Othniel’s hand, so the victory is described as Yahweh’s work.
Judges 3:10
Make, think or respond
Othniel Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or textas
- Bible
- scissors
Try it together
- Write or draw five moments from Judges 3:7–11 on separate cards.
- Mix the cards up and ask children to place them in the order of the passage.
- Read each verse again and check the order together.
- Invite each child or pair to retell the account using the cards.
The cards help children see the sequence and outcomes named in Judges 3:7–11.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the five card headings for them and let them draw a picture for each event before putting them in order.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to add the verse reference to each card and explain how verses 9–10 show Yahweh’s part in the rescue.
An optional closing prayer
You could pray: “Yahweh God, thank you that this passage shows you heard your people when they cried to you. Please help us listen carefully to your word and remember you.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Judges 3
7 The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
8 Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years.
9 When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
10 Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim.
11 The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.