Solomon Asks for Wisdom — and the Two Mothers 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: “God gave Solomon a wise heart.”
Solomon was the new king of Israel. His father had been King David. Solomon loved the LORD. But being king was a very big job!
One day Solomon went to a place called Gibeon to worship God. He brought a thousand offerings to God there. A thousand! That is more than we can count tonight.
That night the LORD came to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Ask for what I should give you.” Solomon could ask for anything at all! What would you ask for?
Solomon thanked God for being so kind to his father David. Then he said, “I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.” That means: I don’t know how to be a good king.
God’s people were so many, no one could count them. So Solomon asked God. “Give your servant an understanding heart, that I may discern between good and evil.” Discern means to tell the difference.
God was pleased. God said, “You have not asked for yourself long life, nor riches. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart.” There would be no one as wise as Solomon. God gave Solomon a wise heart.
God said more. “I have also given you that which you have not asked. Both riches and honor.” Riches means lots of money and treasures. Honor means people respect you.
Then Solomon woke up. It was a dream! He went to Jerusalem and worshiped God. He made a big feast for all his helpers. There was food for everyone. God gave Solomon a wise heart.
One day two women came to King Solomon. They lived in the same house. Each of them had a baby boy. But one night, one of the babies died.
Now both women said the living baby was theirs. One said the babies had been switched in the night while she was asleep. “The living one is my son!” said one. “No! The living one is my son!” said the other. They argued and argued. Who was the real mother? What do you think the king will do?
Solomon said, “Get me a sword.” He said to cut the baby in two, and give half to each woman. But it was only a test!
The real mother loved her baby so much. She cried out. “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill him!” But the other woman did not care.
Now Solomon knew who the real mother was. Solomon spoke. “Give the first woman the living child, and definitely do not kill him. She is his mother.” The baby was safe in his mother’s arms! Can you rock a baby gently in your arms?
Everyone in Israel heard about it. They saw that the wisdom of God was in Solomon. God gave Solomon a wise heart.
Wisdom means knowing what is right and good to do. Solomon asked God for it, and God gave it to him. God gave Solomon a wise heart.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- If God said, “Ask for what I should give you,” what would you ask for?
- How do you think the real mother felt when she got her baby back?
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)
“Give your servant therefore an understanding heart” — 1 Kings 3:9 (Give → hold out open hands; an understanding heart → hand on your heart, then tap your head)
Dear God, thank you that you give wisdom. Please give me a wise and understanding heart too. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Ask God for a wise heart
Memory verse: “Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” — 1 Kings 3:9 · WEB
The Bible story
A young king could have asked for gold or a long life, but Solomon asked God for something far wiser that helped him solve an impossible puzzle.
Talk about it
- Who became the new king of Israel in this story? — Solomon
- How did God come to talk to Solomon? — In a dream at night
- What amazing thing did God say to Solomon? — Ask for whatever you want
- What could Solomon have asked for but did not? — Gold and long life
- What did Solomon actually ask God for? — A wise, understanding heart
- How did God feel about Solomon's answer? — Very pleased
Where is Jesus in this story?
Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God gave him a wise heart (1 Kings 3:12). But later Solomon made foolish choices, and Jesus never did. The Bible calls Jesus “the wisdom of God” and says all the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Him (1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:3). When you need wisdom, you can ask God, who gives it generously (James 1:5).
What God wants to tell us
Solomon could have asked for anything, but he asked for wisdom so he could care for others well. God shows us that a kind, wise heart is more precious than gold or fame. When we do not know what to do, we can ask God to help us choose what is good and loving, just like Solomon did. God delights in helping us grow wise and caring.
Prayer
Loving God, thank You for being so wise and so kind. Please give me an understanding heart, so I can tell what is right and choose to be loving. Help me ask You when I do not know what to do. Thank You for guiding me every day. Amen.
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