Solomon Rides the King’s Mule Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “The king’s promise would come true.”
King David was very old now. He was always cold, even under lots of blankets. Brr! Can you shiver like old King David?
Long ago, David had made a promise to Bathsheba. Their son Solomon would be the next king. The king’s promise would come true.
But another son, Adonijah, wanted to be king. “I will be king,” he said. He got chariots and horsemen. He got fifty men to run in front of him. Adonijah was very handsome. And his father had never once asked him, “Why have you done so?” That means his father never told him no.
Adonijah had a big party by a large stone. There was lots of meat to eat. He invited his brothers and lots of other people. But he did not invite Solomon. He did not invite Nathan the prophet, or David’s mighty men.
Nathan went to Bathsheba. “Go in to King David,” he said. Then Bathsheba went to the king’s room. She bowed down. “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God,” she said. “You said that Solomon your son would reign after you.” To swear means to make a big promise.
While she was still talking, Nathan the prophet came in. He bowed down with his face to the ground. He told the king about Adonijah too.
King David made a promise. “As the LORD lives,” he said. God had saved David from all his troubles. “I will most certainly do this today,” said David. The king’s promise would come true.
Bathsheba bowed down low. “Let my lord King David live forever!” she said.
David called Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and a brave man named Benaiah. “Cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule,” he said. A mule is like a strong horse with long ears. It was the king’s very own mule!
Benaiah said, “Amen. As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon.”
So Solomon rode the king’s mule down to the spring of Gihon. A spring is where fresh water comes out of the ground. Clip-clop, clip-clop! Can you ride a pretend mule? Zadok took a horn full of oil. He poured the oil on Solomon’s head. That meant he was the new king.
They blew the trumpet. Toot-toot! All the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” They played their pipes. They were so happy that the ground shook with their sound! Let’s shout it too: “Long live King Solomon!” The king’s promise would come true.
Adonijah’s guests heard the noise. “Why is this noise of the city being in an uproar?” one of them asked. An uproar is a very big noise. Then a man came running with the news. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.” And Solomon was already sitting on the king’s throne!
Old King David bowed down on his bed. He said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has given one to sit on my throne!”
Adonijah’s guests were afraid, and they all hurried home. Adonijah was afraid of Solomon too. But Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”
God had kept his promise to David. And God keeps his promises to you too. Now you can rest. The king’s promise would come true.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think it felt like to ride the king’s own mule?
- Why do you think the people were so happy?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Solomon your son shall reign after me” — 1 Kings 1:30 (Solomon your son → point to someone near you; shall reign → put on a pretend crown; after me → point to yourself)
Dear God, thank you that you keep your promises. Thank you for giving your people a new king. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Always Keeps His Promises
Memory verse: “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place.” — 1 Kings 1:30 · WEB
The Bible story
When King David is very old, a proud prince tries to grab the throne, but David keeps his promise and sends Solomon riding to be crowned king.
Talk about it
- How was King David feeling at the start of the story? — Very old and tired
- What did the proud prince Adonijah decide to do? — Make himself king
- Who had God chosen to be the next king? — Solomon
- Who hurried to help Solomon's mother, Bathsheba? — The prophet Nathan
- What did David promise about Solomon? — He would sit on the throne
- What did David tell his helpers to use for Solomon? — The king's own mule
Where is Jesus in this story?
Solomon rode humbly into Jerusalem on a mule to become a gentle king who was chosen by God. Many years later, another chosen King, Jesus, rode humbly into the very same city on a young donkey while the crowds waved branches and shouted for joy. Jesus is the greatest King of all, the one God promised long before. Like Solomon, He did not come with pride or war, but with gentleness and peace, to rescue us and to love us forever.
What God wants to tell us
In this story we see that God never forgets what He has said. King David promised the throne to Solomon, and even when someone proud tried to grab it first, God made sure the right thing happened. You can trust God the very same way. When He promises to love you, to be near you, and to care for you, He truly means it forever. We do not have to push or shove or shout to get our way like Adonijah did. Instead we can wait quietly and trust that God, who is kind and faithful, will always do what is good for us in His perfect time.
Prayer
Father God, thank You that You always keep Your promises and never forget me. Help me to be gentle and kind instead of proud, and to wait patiently while I trust You. Thank You for sending Jesus, my forever King. I love You. Amen.
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