Solomon's Wisdom
Wise Choices
1 Kings 3about 2 minutes to read aloud
When David was old, his son Solomon became king. Solomon loved the Lord. One night the Lord appeared to him in a dream at Gibeon. "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered humbly. "I am only a little child. I do not know how to lead this great people. Give your servant a listening heart, to know right from wrong."
The Lord was pleased. "Because you did not ask for long life, or riches, or the death of your enemies, but for wisdom — I will give you a wise and understanding heart. And I will also give you what you did not ask: riches and honor."
Soon after, two women came to the king. Each claimed the same baby. There was no way to know which was the mother.
Solomon said, "Bring me a sword. Cut the living child in two and give half to each." One woman said yes. The other cried out, "Please, my lord, give her the child. Do not kill him."
Solomon said, "Give her the baby. She is the mother." All Israel heard what the king had done, and they stood in awe, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.
Questions to talk about
What did Solomon ask God for?
Show the answer
Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God's people well.
What did God give Solomon besides wisdom?
Show the answer
Because Solomon asked rightly, God also gave him riches and honor.
How did Solomon find out who the real mother was?
Show the answer
The true mother was willing to give up the child to save his life.
The lesson
God delights to give wisdom to the one who asks. All good gifts come down from Him.
