Historical account
Hezekiah Restores Worship
King Hezekiah cleansed the temple, called the people to keep Passover, and restored support for the priests and Levites.
2 Kings 18:1–12; 2 Chronicles 29:1–31:21Read story
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546 stories · Page 12 of 23
Historical account
Hezekiah Prays when Jerusalem Is Threatened
When Assyria pressed hard against Judah and threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah turned to the Lord for help.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 18:13–19:37; 2 Chronicles 32:1–23; Isaiah 36:1–37:38Read story
Bible story
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
When King Hezekiah became gravely ill, he prayed to the Lord, and God gave him both a promise and a sign.
2 Kings 20:1–11; Isaiah 38:1–8Read story
Historical account
Hezekiah Shows His Treasures
When visitors came from Babylon, King Hezekiah showed them all his treasures, and Isaiah brought a hard warning from the Lord.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 20:12–19; Isaiah 39:1–8Read story
Historical account
Manasseh Turns Back to God
King Manasseh led Judah into great evil, and later, in deep distress, he humbled himself before God.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 21:1–18; 2 Chronicles 33:1–20Read story
Bible story
Josiah and the Rediscovered Book
During repairs at the Lord's house, a discovered book led King Josiah to grief, inquiry, and sweeping reform.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 22:1–23:20; 2 Chronicles 34:1–33Read story
Historical account
Josiah Celebrates Passover
King Josiah led Judah and the people present from Israel in a carefully prepared Passover in Jerusalem, according to God’s law.
2 Kings 23:21–27; 2 Chronicles 35:1–19Read story
Historical account
Josiah's Final Battle
King Josiah went out against Neco of Egypt, was struck down at Megiddo, and Judah mourned deeply when he died.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 23:28–30; 2 Chronicles 35:20–27Read story
Historical account
Jerusalem Falls to Babylon
Jerusalem was besieged, broken, burned, and its people were driven into exile.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 25:1–21; 2 Chronicles 36:15–21; Jeremiah 39:1–10; Jeremiah 52:1–30Read story
Historical account
Gedaliah and the Crisis after Jerusalem's Fall
After Jerusalem fell, a small remnant in Judah found brief order under Gedaliah, but violence soon shattered it.
Older readers with an adult2 Kings 25:22–26; Jeremiah 40:7–41:18Read story
Historical account
Jehoiachin Is Released
After many years in captivity, Jehoiachin king of Judah was brought out of prison and treated with kindness in Babylon.
2 Kings 25:27–30; Jeremiah 52:31–34Read story
Historical account
David Prepares for the Temple
David gathered supplies, instructed Solomon, and led Israel's leaders in generous preparation for God's house.
1 Chronicles 22:1–19; 1 Chronicles 28:1–29:9Read story
Historical account
Jehoshaphat Prays and the People Sing
When a huge enemy force threatened Judah, Jehoshaphat led the people to pray, and they went out singing as Yahweh gave deliverance.
Older readers with an adult2 Chronicles 20:1–30Read story
Historical account
Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Return
A Persian king announces that the people of Yahweh may go to Jerusalem and rebuild his house.
2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1:1–11Read story
Historical account
The Altar Is Rebuilt and the Temple Foundation Is Laid
In Jerusalem, God’s people began worship again, then laid the temple foundation as joy and tears rose together.
Ezra 3:1–13Read story
Historical account
The Temple Builders Face Opposition
As the returned exiles began building God's house, opposition rose through pressure, accusations, and royal letters.
Ezra 4:1–24Read story
Historical account
The Second Temple Is Completed
Prophets, leaders, royal orders, and obedient workers all played a part in finishing God's house in Jerusalem.
Older readers with an adultEzra 5:1–6:22; Haggai 1:1–15Read story
Historical account
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem
King Artaxerxes sent Ezra to Jerusalem with gifts for God’s house, and Ezra prepared carefully for the journey.
Older readers with an adultEzra 7:1–28; Ezra 8:15–36Read story
Historical account
Ezra and the Community's Difficult Decision
After a serious wrong was reported, Ezra and the returned community gathered before God and faced a painful decision together.
Older readers with an adultEzra 9:1–4; Ezra 10:1–17Read story
Historical account
Nehemiah Asks to Rebuild Jerusalem
After hearing of Jerusalem’s ruin, Nehemiah prayed, received the king’s permission, and quietly inspected the city before urging the people to rebuild.
Nehemiah 1:1–2:20Read story
Historical account
Nehemiah Builds despite Opposition
Nehemiah and the people rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall while facing mockery, threats, fear, and schemes to stop the work.
Older readers with an adultNehemiah 4:1–23; Nehemiah 6:1–7:3Read story
Historical account
Nehemiah Helps the Poor
When struggling families cried out, Nehemiah challenged the leaders and urged them to give back what they had taken.
Older readers with an adultNehemiah 5:1–19Read story
Historical account
Ezra Reads God's Law to the People
In Jerusalem, the people gathered to hear God's law read clearly, and their understanding led them from tears to joy and obedience.
Nehemiah 8:1–18Read story
Historical account
The Wall of Jerusalem Is Dedicated
Jerusalem celebrates the wall’s dedication with thankful processions, loud singing, sacrifices, and support for those who serve in worship.
Nehemiah 12:27–47Read story
A note for the reader-in-chief.
These retellings include Bible references and links to the source passages. Some accounts describe difficult events and are marked for older readers with an adult. Catholic additional books are labelled separately. Every story has optional AI-generated narration with word highlighting. Tap a word to listen from there, or read aloud together at your own pace.
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