Solomon's Wisdom
When God offers Solomon anything he wants, the young king asks for wisdom to lead God's people. God is pleased and grants him wisdom—and riches and honor besides.
1 Kings 3:1-15
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The Story
After David died, his son Solomon became king of Israel. Solomon loved the Lord and walked according to his father David's instructions. At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night.
'Ask for whatever you want me to give you,' God said.
Solomon answered, 'You have shown great kindness to your servant my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
'Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.
'So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?'
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 'Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor for the death of your enemies, but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
'Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.'
Then Solomon awoke—it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord's covenant, and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
Solomon's wisdom soon became legendary. When two women came claiming the same baby, he proposed cutting the child in two—knowing the real mother would rather lose her son than see him killed. His wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and people from all nations came to listen to him.
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
Kids Version
David was a great king. When he died, his son Solomon became the new king. Solomon loved God, just like his father.
One night, God spoke to Solomon in a dream. 'Ask Me for anything you want. I'll give it to you!'
Wow! Anything? Solomon could have asked for piles of gold, or a huge army, or to live forever. But he didn't.
'Lord,' Solomon prayed, 'You were so kind to my father David. Now I'm king, but I feel like a little kid! I don't know how to be a good king. Your people are SO many—I can't even count them all!
'Please give me wisdom. Help me know the difference between right and wrong so I can lead Your people well.'
God was SO happy with Solomon's answer!
'You could have asked for money. You could have asked for your enemies to die. You could have asked for a long life. But you asked for wisdom to help others.
'I WILL give you wisdom—more than anyone has ever had! And because you asked so humbly, I'll ALSO give you what you didn't ask for: riches and honor. You'll be the greatest king ever!'
Solomon woke up. It was a dream! But it was a true dream from God.
Solomon became the wisest person in the whole world. People traveled from far away just to hear him speak. He wrote thousands of wise sayings.
Once, two women brought a baby to Solomon, both claiming to be the mother. Solomon figured out who the REAL mother was using his wisdom!
When we need to make hard choices, we can ask God for wisdom too. The Bible says He loves to give it!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — 1 Kings 3:1-15 (KJV)
1And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
3And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. mercy: or, bounty
7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? understanding: Heb. hearing
10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; long life: Heb. many days discern: Heb. hear
12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. shall: or, hath not been
14And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Memory Verse
“And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.”
— 1 Kings 3:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Solomon's Wisdom” in the Bible?
When God offers Solomon anything he wants, the young king asks for wisdom to lead God's people. God is pleased and grants him wisdom—and riches and honor besides. This story is found in 1 Kings 3:1-15.
Where is “Solomon's Wisdom” found in the Bible?
“Solomon's Wisdom” is found in 1 Kings 3:1-15, in the book of 1 Kings.
What can children learn from “Solomon's Wisdom”?
This story teaches children about Wisdom, Humility, God's generosity. God told young King Solomon he could have ANYTHING he wanted. Solomon didn't ask for money or power—he asked for wisdom to be a good king. God was so pleased, He gave Solomon wisdom AND everything else!