💌 Invitation to 1 Kings

👑 New kings, new paths — and the question: Who remains faithful to God?

The people of Israel have a king everyone loves: David.
But now he is growing old.
What will come after him?

In this new book, a new chapter begins:
Solomon, David’s son, becomes king.
God gives him a special question —
and he must make important decisions.

But not everything goes well.
Many kings will come. Some obey God — others do not.

Are you ready for a journey through the time of the kings?
A time full of great buildings, wise decisions —
but also full of wrong paths?

Then start with us in the book of 1 Kings!
Here we see:
What really matters before God — power or heart?

🔔 Teaser for 1 Kings

A great kingdom.
A new king with a young heart: Solomon.
God asks him:

“What do you want?”

And Solomon doesn’t answer with riches or fame —
but with a wish that pleases God.

Later he builds a huge temple —
a house for God’s presence.

But over time many kings lose the right way.
They forget who the true King is: God.

👉 In 1 Kings it’s about wisdom, faithfulness, and warnings.
👉 It’s about decisions — and about whom we follow.
👉 And you will notice: God remains faithful — even when people are not.

🧒 👧 👦

📖 1 Kings Chapter 1 – Who Will Be the Next King?

👑 When an old king must let go — and a new one must learn to lead

🌅 Introduction

King David had grown old.
His life had been full of adventures —
he fought Goliath, defeated many enemies,
and again and again trusted God.
But now his strength was almost gone.
He could hardly get out of bed anymore.
The question was:
Who should be king after him?

Not everyone waited for a clear answer from God.
Some wanted to decide for themselves who would take the throne …

📖 The Bible story

David lay in his bed.
He was always cold, even when they covered him.
Everyone knew: the great king is old — soon there would be a new ruler.

But David had not yet appointed a new king.

So the palace grew restless.

One of David’s sons — Adonijah — thought to himself:

“I am strong. I am handsome. I am David’s son. I will be king!”

And he began to make himself king.

He gathered many people:
some important men, a priest, even the army commander Joab.
They held a big feast.
Adonijah cried out:

“I am the new king of Israel!”

But not everyone joined in.

A priest named Zadok, the prophet Nathan,
and also Bathsheba, David’s wife,
realized: this is not right.

Because David had someone else in mind:
his son Solomon — a quiet, young man with a wise heart.

⚠️ The Plan

The prophet Nathan went to Bathsheba and said:

“Adonijah is crowning himself. But you know David wanted Solomon to be king.
We must speak with David — before it’s too late!”

Bathsheba went to David.
She reminded him:

“My lord, didn’t you swear that Solomon should be your successor?
But now Adonijah has made himself king!”

David opened his eyes.
He was old — but not foolish.

He called his faithful men:
Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah.

And he said clearly and loudly:

“My son Solomon shall be king over Israel.
Bring my mule, anoint him as king,
and shout aloud:
‘Long live King Solomon!’”

🎺 The True Coronation

So they went out.
Solomon sat on the royal mule.
They brought him to the spring of Gihon.
There he was anointed — with holy oil.
The trumpets sounded.
The people shouted:

“Long live King Solomon!”

All Jerusalem heard the cheering.
And Adonijah’s feast?
It fell silent.
People became afraid.
Because they realized:
God chose the true king — not Adonijah.

Adonijah was terrified.
He ran to the altar in the sanctuary and grabbed the horns —
a sign meaning: “Don’t hurt me! I want to be spared!”

Solomon said:

“If he behaves peacefully, nothing will happen to him.”

And so Solomon was not only anointed,
but also a king with wisdom, patience, and heart.

🟣 Summary

David was old — and it was time to let go.
Adonijah wanted to make himself king — with power and tricks.
But God had a different way.
Solomon was chosen by the old king
and confirmed by God.

He did not become king out of pride —
but out of calling.

💚 Message for Children Today

Not the one who is loud or acts strong
is the one God uses —
but the one who listens to Him.

Solomon didn’t push himself forward —
he waited for God’s time.

And: even if you are young,
God can prepare you for great things.
He doesn’t look only at age —
but at your heart. 💛

💭 Thought Questions

🔹 What can you learn from Solomon — even if you’re not a king?
🔹 Why is it important not to want to decide everything on your own, but to ask God?
🔹 Do you know someone who tried to make themselves important — and it didn’t end well?