Solomon: a wise king

To show that money and fame are not as important as being wise.

by Michelle Walker

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To show that money and fame are not as important as being wise.

Preparation and materials

• You will need a flip-chart and pen.
• Be familiar with the story of the wisdom of Solomon, found in 1 Kings 3.
• Part of the story could be acted out as you tell it. You will need three actors, a boy for the king (wearing a crown) and two girls, and a doll.

Assembly

1. Start by asking the children a question. If they had a dream and they were told that whatever they wanted they could have, what would they ask for? Discuss the answers with the children and list them on the flip-chart – maybe give your own! Explain that today we are going to hear a story of a man who was asked this question by God.
2. Give a brief outline of who Solomon was. Ask the children if they can remember who killed Goliath: David. After David had killed Goliath he became a great and good king. David loved and worshipped God. King David had some children, and one of his sons was called Solomon.
   
   David taught his son Solomon to love and worship God as he did. Solomon wanted to be as good a king as his father was, so he listened to his father and he too loved and worshipped God.
3. Tell the story of how Solomon went to the temple to give his offering. He had a dream and he asked God for wisdom. God gave him wisdom, but he also gave him riches and wealth as well. It was more than a dream – God had truly spoken to Solomon.
   
   Ask the children if they know what wisdom is. Explain that it is to have good judgement and knowledge, to do what is fair and good.
4. Not long after God had given wisdom to Solomon, there came a time when Solomon had to use his wisdom. Two women brought a baby to Solomon. They each claimed to be the mother of the child. Solomon said that he was going to kill the baby, and divide it into two and give half to each woman. One of the women cried out and said that to avoid the baby being killed, it should be given to the other woman. King Solomon then knew which woman was the real mother – the woman who had spoken up to save the baby’s life. He ruled that the baby be handed over to her. Solomon knew that if the baby’s life was threatened, the real mother’s love would show through. She would not be able to bear to have her child harmed even if it meant losing her child.
   
   Tell the children how the entire kingdom heard of the great wisdom that Solomon had. And how God enabled him to gain great wealth and live a long life. During his reign he had no enemies and some say that he became the wisest person who ever lived.
5. Go back to the earlier list of what the children could ask for. Was wisdom on the list? Probably not. Would any of the children ask for wisdom now after hearing the story? Explain that although we need money and it’s ok to have nice things or be famous, what is really important is to have knowledge and good judgement, which will help us throughout all of our life.
   
   Finish with a quote from Proverbs 15.23: ‘A man finds joy in giving an apt (or suitable) reply – and how good is a timely word.’
   
   Challenge the children this week to have good judgement and knowledge as they play with their friends. If any disagreements come along see if they can sort them out fairly.

Time for reflection

Reflection

Ask the children to think of everything they have.

Do they often want more?

Ask them to think of the times when people have given them good advice.

Do they take notice?

Prayer

Dear God,

Please help us to be satisfied with what we have.

Help us to be good friends to those around us and to treat each other with respect.

Help us as we grow up to have good judgement to know right from wrong.

Amen.

Song/music

‘The best gift’ (Come and Praise, 59)