Lifebridge Kids – Unit 12: King Solomon
When God’s people wanted a king to be like the nations around them, God warned them but gave them what they wanted. King Saul seemed to be the ideal king, but he proved not to be the king the people needed. When Saul sinned against God, God judged him and promised to remove him as king.
Lifebridge Kids meets every Sunday during regular Gathering Times – 8:30a, 10a or 11:30a
Sunday, January 26 – God Gave Solomon Wisdom
Solomon was a wise king who wanted to do God’s plan. Solomon wasn’t perfect, but God had a plan to give His people a greater and wiser king—His Son, Jesus. Jesus completely trusted God. Jesus surrendered His own life to die on the cross for our sin.
Talk About It!
If you could ask for anything in the world, what would it be? You might ask for money, fame, or superhero powers. You could even ask for a lifetime supply of candy, but then you’d probably need to ask for a dentist!
When God gave Solomon the chance to ask for anything in the world, Solomon asked God for wisdom. Solomon wanted wisdom to know right from wrong and to help him honor God as king over Israel. God gave Solomon the wisdom he requested, and God added to it long life, riches, and honor. Solomon became the greatest king of his generation, and all of Israel was blessed because of the gifts God had given to him.
James 1:5 says, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” God wants to give us wisdom to know Him and honor Him with our lives. He wants us to know what is right and good so that we can follow Him. Most of all, God wants to give us wisdom to believe in Jesus and trust in Him as Lord!
Solomon was a wise king who wanted to do God’s plan. Solomon wasn’t perfect, but God had a plan to give His people a greater and wiser king—His Son, Jesus. Jesus completely trusted God. Jesus surrendered His own life to die on the cross for our sin.
The Lord – the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion and sin.
Exodus 34:6-7
1. What did David tell Solomon before he died?
Guide kids to recall that King David told Solomon to be strong and brave. After his father’s death, Solomon was about to take on the role of king. He needed to be both strong and brave for the task ahead. Read 1 Kings 2:2.
2. Why did Solomon ask God for wisdom?
Remind kids that Solomon was young and didn’t know much about being a king, except what he saw from his father, King David. He wanted to know how to tell the difference between right and wrong. Read 1 Kings 3:7-9.
3. How can we gain wisdom and desire it more than anything else?
Encourage kids that, just like Solomon, we can ask God to give us wisdom. Reading the Bible can help us to learn how to live each day in a way that pleases God. The Holy Spirit lives in Christians and helps us desire to know more about living to please God.
4. How can you apply King David’s advice to Solomon to your life?
Lead kids to discuss that David knew the ways of the Lord are for our good. We can follow his advice as we seek to obey God’s Word and follow in His wisdom. Read 1 Kings 2:2-3.
5. Why was wisdom the best thing to ask the Lord for?
Remind kids that Solomon humbly admitted that he needed God’s help to discern what was right. Apart from the wisdom of God, Solomon would fail to govern Israel rightly. Solomon was most concerned about being a just king and a faithful follower of God. Read 1 Kings 3:11-12.
6. What are some practical ways wisdom helped Solomon be a great king?
Point out that kings and leaders have to make many tough decisions that affect many people. These decisions require great wisdom to decide what is best and right in the eyes of the Lord. Read 1 Kings 3:28.
+ Take turns answering the question, “What would you ask for if God gave you the same opportunity He gave to Solomon?”
+ Write down each family member’s response on a poster board.
+ Talk about how each thing might be a good or bad choice depending on how it was used.
+ Discuss why Solomon asked for wisdom and why it was the best request.
