Solomon's Wisdom

When Solomon became king, God asked what he wanted. Solomon did not ask for riches or a long life but for a wise heart. God was pleased and made him the wisest of kings. Two women came to him, each saying that a baby was hers. Solomon said he would cut the baby in two. The real mother cried that the other woman should have it; so Solomon knew who the mother was.

Read it in the Bible

This story is in 1 Kings chapter 3 of the Bible.

A verse to remember

Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
1 Kings 3:9, World English Bible

Questions to talk about

1. What did Solomon ask for?
2. How did Solomon find the real mother?
3. What would you ask for?

An activity

Think of a hard problem at school and talk about how a wise person would solve it.

Read next

• Daniel in the Lions' Den
• How to tell Bible stories to children

Questions people ask

The stories are simple retellings for children and are not a substitute for reading the Bible. Churches teach the stories in different ways; adapt to your own tradition.