Advanced Level, Block 7—Idolatry and Division
Week 61
Solomon—Seeking an Understanding Heart to Judge God’s People
Point to Emphasize: May we not be self-seeking but have an understanding heart.
Reference Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-15; 4:30-34, footnote 301
Memory Verse: So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do what is good toward all… (Galatians 6:10a)
Story Sample
Solomon, succeeded his father, David, to be king. Concerning Solomon there was one very positive point: his love for God and his wanting to please God. Solomon had a heart for God just like his father. Solomon lived according to what he had learned from his father regarding God. And because of this, something very intriguing happened. It was recorded in 1 Kings 3:5-15. The Bible told us that Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream at night and promised to give to Solomon whatever he would ask. Isn’t that something? Solomon could ask for whatever he wanted and God would give it to him.
What if I were to tell you that I owned everything and that I could give you whatever you wanted. What would you ask for? I can see your eyes opening so wide, and taking a deep breath and oh, it is so hard to decide, right? Would you ask for money for yourself? Would you ask for unlimited food? Would you ask for expensive shoes? What would you ask for? Most of us ask for something for ourselves.
Now consider the situation. God appeared to Solomon in a dream and he was king over all the people of God. With such a position over a multitude of people and a vast territory, what might he ask for? [Have the children discuss what things Solomon might have asked for.]
Solomon did not ask for something for himself. Solomon did not ask for riches. He did not ask for long life. He did not ask for the life of his enemies. The outcome of Solomon’s love for God was to ask for something according to God. Here as he began his reigning, Solomon only sought what was good for God’s people. In 1 Kings 3:9 says, “Give therefore to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” What do you think it means to have an understanding heart? [Let the children answer.] To have an understanding heart is to be able to listen to what others are saying; not only to rely on what the ears hear, but also to really understand what people mean.
Let me give you an example of what it means to have an understanding heart. One day when I picked up my son from school, I asked him how his day went. He looked at me and said, “Fine. Everything is okay.” However, when he gave me his answer, his face was saying “something went wrong today.” I immediately parked and scooted next to him in hope to find out what had really happened. As it turned out, he had a sharp disagreement with another boy and he just did not know how to resolve the situation. He was so sad. I was able to talk to him concerning how this problem could be fixed. You see, I was in a hurry that day. So it would have been easy just to keep driving when my son said he was fine. But I could hear beyond the words he was saying and was able to understand how he was feeling. It enabled me to talk to him and give him the help he desperately needed. [Storyteller, please add a personal example when you were able to understand how someone was feeling and give them some help.]
Solomon’s request pleased God. God gave Solomon a heart of wisdom and understanding. In his days, no one was as wise as Solomon. People came from different parts of the earth to hear his wisdom. Solomon had a splendid kingdom and was a good judge to the people. He was able to discern between good and evil and was able to help God’s people.
We must admit that most of us would not have asked for what Solomon had asked for. Typically, we are selfish. And most of our requests are very self-centered. Have you ever requested something nice for your brother or sister and not for yourself? Have you ever asked for three scoops of ice cream for your brother and just one for yourself? We are not like that. We always are concerned for what we get and not for what the other person gets. We might laugh about it now but it is really sad that if we are being truthful, the most important “one” to me is myself. It would be so good if after this time you would go and talk to your parents and let them know that you would like an understanding heart like Solomon’s, not a heart that is only for yourself.