The Donkey Who Carried a King [Hardcover]

R.C. Sproul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2012

Sproul has written a number of children's book that illustrate such theological and biblical concepts as God's holiness, the imputation of Jesus' righteousness to His people, and God's wrath against sin. In The Donkey Who Carried a King, he brings to life the amazing truth that Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself as a servant, gladly doing His Father's will, saving us from our sins, and leaving us a powerful example as to how we should live.
When a little boy named Riley gets upset because his playmates pick him last for their games. When Grandpa hears about the problem, he asks, Riley, have you ever heard about the donkey who carried a kingDavey was a young donkey who was bored and unhappy because he was never given anything to do. Then one day, some strangers came to the gate--and Davey's master picked him for a very special task. Davey carried the King, Jesus, into Jerusalem. Afterward, Davey felt proud of himself and believed he should do only special jobs. But Davey's master put him to work doing ordinary things. That made Davey grumpy.
A few days later, Davey saw something terrible--some angry people were making the King carry a heavy beam of wood. Davey could not understand it, but another donkey, old Barnabas, helped him see that the King was being a Servant of His people. After that, Davey made up his mind to do every task without grumbling.
Through his story, Grandpa helps Riley see that we should gratefully carry out every task we are given, understanding that we ultimately serve God, not men. Our example is Jesus, who was willing to leave the glories of heaven to suffer and die in this world on our behalf. He gladly made Himself a Servant on our behalf, so we should serve Him with all our hearts.
The Donkey Who Carried a King is a delightful tale that offers a unique perspective on the events of Jesus' Passion Week and calls all believers, both young and old, to follow in the footsteps of the Suffering Servant for the glory of God.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. R.C. Sproul is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, based in Sanford, Florida. He also serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's in Sanford and as president of Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies. His teaching can be heard around the world on the daily radio program Renewing Your Mind. He is the author of more than seventy books, including several other children's books, such as The King Without a Shadow, The Lightlings, The Prince's Poison Cup, and The Priest with Dirty Clothes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Reformation Trust Publishing (February 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567692699
• ISBN-13: 978-1567692693
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Religious Fiction > Christian

More About the Author

Dr. R.C. Sproul is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian education ministry located near Orlando, Florida. His teaching can be heard on the program Renewing Your Mind, which is broadcast on hundreds of radio outlets in the United States and in 40 countries worldwide. He is the executive editor of Tabletalk magazine and general editor of The Reformation Study Bible, and the author of more than seventy books and scores of articles for national evangelical publications. Dr. Sproul also serves as president of Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies and Reformation Bible College. He currently serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's in Sanford, FL.

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#88 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#88 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Adorable, Biblical Book February 19, 2012

By SingingPilgrim

Format:Hardcover

It was my pleasure to review this adorable children's book. It starts out with Reilly, a little boy who is sad because the other children pick him last for sports. His grandfather decides to share with him the story of Davey the Donkey, who carried Jesus on Palm Sunday.

I admit I get skittish about kids being taught Bible stories with extra details that aren't in the Bible itself. I get concerned they might remember "Davey" or other details as "gospel truth" and therefore have a wrong impression of Biblical Truth. However, I think that the way that Sproul introduces this as a story told by Reilly's grandfather combined with the "Understanding the Story" section in the back of the book help alleviate those concerns. I thought it was really cool that not only did the story talk about Davey's experiences with Jesus, we also heard a couple stories of "famous donkeys in history" like the donkey which talked to Baalam and the donkey which carried Mary and witnessed our Lord's birth.

The message of the story is about gratitude and contentment, especially in light of Christ's love and sacrifice for us. It encourages children and readers of all ages to have a willing, serving heart. My favorite part is actually the illustrations. I love Davey and think your kids will too; he's so cute! I definitely recommend this book to add to your child's library.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchanged for my unbiased review.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Donkey Who Carried a King March 22, 2012

By Christina Fox

Format:Hardcover

Just in time for Easter, R.C. Sproul has written a new book titled, "The Donkey Who Carried a King." This children's picture book focuses on lessons of contentment and humble service, like that of our Savior.

Following the pattern of many of Dr. Sproul's other children's stories, the main character has a problem and a close family member tells a story, often an allegory, to help them solve the problem. This story begins with a little boy who was continually being picked last to play games with his friends. He was quite upset so his grandfather told him a story about a donkey named Davey who was never picked for any jobs. Then one day, he was given the important job of carrying a King into Jerusalem. After this experience, he grew prideful and grumbled about other jobs he received, thinking he was too good for them.

Until the day this donkey saw the King being taken up a hill with a cross on his back. He was very upset about the way the King was being treated. Davey ended up having a talk with an older, wiser donkey and learned lessons on humility, service, and contentment. The grandfather concludes with the real story about Jesus, the Humble Servant King.

At the end of the book is a series of discussion questions for parents to use in helping children understand the meaning behind the story.

We have a few of Dr. Sproul's other children's books and love each and every one of them. I appreciate how he uses allegory to teach a spiritual truth. My children find the stories engaging and meaningful. The Donkey Who Carried a King was a fun read with my children, sparking enlightening conversations. The illustrations are engaging and interesting to young eyes. This is an excellent book that teaches children not only about following Jesus' example of humble service, but more importantly, about Jesus, the Servant King who carried the burden of our sins on the cross.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Points us to the King who Carried the Cross. January 20, 2013

By TheophilusFarrell4

Format:Hardcover

When little Reilly comes home weeping because he is chosen last for the boy's games, Grandpa asks Reilly if he has ever told him the story of the Donkey who carried the King.
"'No, Grandpa,' he said, 'I've never heard that story, but I'd love to hear it now.' So Grandpa sat down, and Reilly sat on his knee. Reilly didn't feel too old for that." One of my favorite parts of Dr. Sproul's books is the presence of a wise, dignified, loving, Godly Grandfather in each book.

"'You know, Reilly,' Grandpa started, 'several years ago, I went to Jerusalem, and I saw a funny sight. Lots of people rode on little donkeys. The donkeys in Jerusalem are small compared to the ones here in America. They only grow to be about three or three and a half feet high.' "
There once was a little donkey named David, called Davey. Davey was all alone in a little pen, and he felt sad that he was never chosen to do any important work. Other donkeys, like Old Barnabas, had wonderful stories about work they had done. Old Barnabas was a wise old donkey, and he was once owned by a young carpenter named Joseph. Once, Barnabas had carried Joseph's wife on a long journey to pay their taxes. Joseph's wife had given birth to a very special Baby- a Baby who was Born to Save His people. Davey loved listening to Barnabas tell him this story.

Then one day came when two men came to Davey's owner, and they wanted a donkey. They said simply "The Lord has need of Him." Davey was brought to a kind man who rode him into the city, and as they went into the city people stood beside the road throwing down their cloaks for Davey to walk over and shouting Hosanna! The King of Israel is Coming! Davey was carrying the King! This was the Baby Barnabas had carried, and now David was carrying Him!

Davey was very proud of Himself, knowing he had carried the King.
After that, the owner began to let Davey carry burdens. Olives and Grapes. Heavy burdens. Davey was not carrying a King, he was carrying burdens. Burdens so heavy the made him stumble and fall.
David was not proud to be worked this way. He had carried the King!

One day, a servant was leading the laden Davey through the city, when Davey saw the gentle King again. The King was covered in cuts and bruises. People had slapped Him and spit on Him and he had been hurt. No one was helping him, instead he was carrying a long wooden beam on his torn back. As Davey watched, the King fell to the ground under its weight.
Davey was pulled away by the servant, but he was heartbroken. Why the King carrying such heavy burdens?
When Davey returns to the pen Old Barnabas gently tells him that part of being the King who saves His people was carrying that beam- it was His cross beam, on which He would die.

Davey was amazed. "So the King was being a servant to others," he said. "Yes, Davey," Barnabas said. "It is a terrible thing that He is being treated so badly. But what He is doing is wonderful."

"He was a King, but He was a servant to His people." Grandpa explains. And Davey has lessons to teach us- about being content with any job we are given, about not being to proud to carry the wheat after carrying the King, about being thankful for the strength to do our job, and most of all about learning from the King who carried the Cross-beam, who fell on the ground under His burden as He walked to a death that would save us. "And do you know what, Reilly?" Adds Grandpa "Jesus didn't stay dead. He rose again from the grave three days later and He reigns forever with His Father in heaven. That's the best news of all." The Donkey Who Carried a King is a lovely book that looks at Jesus Carrying the Cross and carrying our crosses from the eyes of a dear little donkey.