📖 1 Kings Chapter 3 – Solomon’s Wish

🌠 When God asks: What do you really want?

🌅 Introduction

Sometimes we dream of having one wish come true.
Just one — but anything at all.
What would you choose?
Toys? Wealth? Your own country?
Or maybe something completely different?

In this story, a young king gets exactly such a chance.
God Himself asks him — and what he wishes for
shows how special his heart is.

📖 The Bible story

Solomon was now king of Israel.
The land was large, the people were many,
and the tasks were heavy.

Solomon knew:

“I am still young. How can I manage all of this well?
How do I know what is right?”

So he brought God a special offering —
a sign of his love and reverence.

And then something wonderful happened:
At night, God appeared to him in a dream.

“Solomon,” God said,
“ask what you want. I will give it to you.”

💭 Solomon’s Answer

Solomon was not frightened.
He thought calmly.
Then he said:

“My God, You have made me king —
but I am young and have little experience.
I do not know how to lead a people well.
Give me a listening heart,
so that I can recognize what is good and what is evil.”

Solomon did not ask for power.
He wanted justice.
He wanted to lead the people well.
He wanted to understand God’s will.

✨ God’s Delight

When God heard that, He was pleased.

“Because you did not ask for long life, riches, or the death of your enemies —
but for wisdom to judge what is right —
therefore I give you a wise and understanding heart.”

And then God added:

“And because you asked like this,
I will also give you what you did not ask for:
riches, honor — and a long life,
if you continue to walk in my ways.”

⚖️ The Two Mothers

Soon it became clear how wise Solomon was.

Two women came to him.
They lived in the same house and both had a baby.
But one of the babies had died.
Now they argued:

“The living child is mine!” said one.
“No, it is mine!” said the other.

How could anyone know who was telling the truth?

Solomon thought for a moment.
Then he said firmly:

“Bring me a sword.
Cut the child in two — each woman gets half.”

Everyone held their breath.

Then one of the women cried out loudly:

“No! Don’t do it! Give the child to the other —
but don’t kill it!”

The other woman stayed calm.
“Cut it!” she said.

Then Solomon knew:

“The woman who wanted to save the child — she is the mother.
Give her the child — and do nothing to the other.”

All Israel heard about it.
And everyone marveled:
God had truly given Solomon wisdom.

🟣 Summary

God gave Solomon a huge opportunity:

Ask for whatever you want.

And Solomon asked for wisdom — not for himself,
but to be good for others.

God rewarded that.
And soon Solomon showed how serious he was:
He judged justly, clearly, and mercifully.

💚 Message for Children Today

Some wishes look wonderful —
but true greatness is shown in the heart.

Solomon wanted to understand, do what is right,
and be there for others.
And that is exactly what pleases God.

If you honestly say:
“I want to do what is right” —
God will help you.
Because a listening heart is worth more than all the gold in the world.

💭 Thought Starter

🔹 What would you answer God if He said: “Ask for whatever you want”?
🔹 Why was Solomon’s wish special?
🔹 Do you know someone who makes wise decisions — quietly, but fairly?

🧒 👧 👦

💌 Invitation to 1 Kings Chapter 4

🧠 When wisdom changes a whole nation

Solomon had one wish to God —
and God answered it: He gave him wisdom.

But what does that mean in a king’s everyday life?
How do you rule a large land with many people?
And how do you make sure that everyone is treated fairly?

In Chapter 4 we discover how Solomon’s wise decisions
bring peace, order, and blessing to the whole nation.

🔔 Teaser for Chapter 4

Israel now has a wise king —
but wisdom doesn’t show up only in dreams.

Solomon organizes his kingdom.
He appoints leaders, provides food, and creates order and justice.

And everyone can tell:
👉 This king does not rule for himself —
👉 but for the people, in God’s name.

Soon Solomon’s wisdom becomes so well known
that people from other countries come
just to hear him.

Chapter 4 shows:
When a heart listens to God, many people are blessed. 💡