The Wisdom of Solomon
"An understanding heart"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
God appeared to young King Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask, and I will give it to you!" Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God's people, and God gave him wisdom, along with riches and honor he hadn't asked for. Soon two women came to him, each claiming the same baby, and when Solomon called for a sword, the real mother begged him to give the baby to the other woman, so Solomon knew she was the mother.
Where it is in the Bible: 1 Kings 3:3-28
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Solomon: King David's son. He has just become king of Israel. He is young.
- The LORD: God. LORD in capital letters stands for God's personal name. Jewish readers traditionally don't say it aloud, out of respect.
- Two women: Two mothers who live in the same house. Each says a baby is hers.
Setting
- Gibeon, a place of worship near Jerusalem. Then the king's court in Jerusalem.
When
- About 3,000 years ago, at the start of Solomon's reign.
Before the Story
King David had died. Before he died, he made his son Solomon king (1:39, 2:10-12).
David told Solomon to follow God. "Keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways" (2:3).
Solomon was young, and the job was huge. He was to rule a whole nation.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Ask!" | 3:3-9 | God tells Solomon to ask for anything |
| 2. More than he asked | 3:10-15 | God gives Solomon wisdom and more |
| 3. Two mothers | 3:16-22 | A hard case comes to the king |
| 4. "Bring me a sword" | 3:23-28 | Solomon finds the real mother |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4"Ask!"
Solomon loved the LORD. He went to Gibeon to worship.
One night, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, "Ask, and I will give it to you!" (3:5).
Anything at all.
Solomon thanked God for his kindness to his father David.
"But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in" (3:7). He meant he didn't know how to lead.
"Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil" (3:9). To discern means to see clearly and tell things apart.
Scene 2 of 4More Than He Asked
God was pleased with Solomon's request.
Solomon didn't ask for a long life, or riches, or for his enemies to die. He asked for wisdom to do what is right.
So God said, "I will give you a wise and discerning heart" (3:12).
"Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor" (3:13).
Then Solomon woke up. It had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem and worshiped.
Scene 3 of 4Two Mothers
Soon after, two women came to the king.
One woman said they lived in the same house. Each of them had a baby, a few days apart.
One night, the other woman's baby died.
"So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep" (3:20). She put her dead baby next to me, the first woman said.
In the morning, she saw the dead baby wasn't hers.
"No," said the other woman, "the living one is my son and the dead one is your son" (3:22).
They argued in front of the king. There were no witnesses. How could anyone know the truth?
Scene 4 of 4"Bring Me a Sword"
The king said, "Bring me a sword" (3:24).
Then he said, "Cut the living child in two. Give half to each woman."
The real mother cried out. She loved her baby. "Please, my lord," she said, "give her the living baby. Do not kill him!" (3:26).
But the other woman said, "Go ahead. Then neither of us will have him."
Now Solomon knew. "Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother" (3:27).
Solomon never meant to hurt the baby. The sword was a test to show who truly loved him.
All Israel heard about it. They saw that God had given Solomon wisdom to do justice.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Ask, and I will give it to you!" (3:5) | God offered Solomon anything. |
| "I am only a little child" (3:7) | Solomon was humble. He knew he needed help. |
| "An understanding heart" (3:9) | Wisdom starts in the heart, not just the head. |
| "What you did not request" (3:13) | God gave far more than Solomon asked. |
| "She yearned with compassion for her son" (3:26) | Real love would give up anything to protect the child. |
| "The wisdom of God was in him" (3:28) | Solomon's wisdom was God's gift. |
Back Then
Kings were judges. People could bring hard cases directly to the king.
Solomon became famous for wisdom. Much of the book of Proverbs is credited to him (Proverbs 1:1).
The Queen of Sheba came to test him. She traveled a long way and was amazed by his wisdom (10:1-7).
Literal Reader Alert
Was Solomon really going to cut the baby? No. It was a test to find out who loved the baby. The baby was never hurt.
Did Solomon stay wise? Not always. Later he turned to other gods (11:4). Even great gifts don't keep us from sin. That's why we need God's grace.
Does God give whatever we ask? God invites us to ask. Solomon asked for what would help others. God loves to give good gifts.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon | Humble | He felt like a little child (3:7) |
| The first mother | Desperate | Her baby had been taken (3:20-21) |
| The first mother | Terrified | The king called for a sword (3:26) |
| The people | Amazed | They saw God's wisdom in Solomon (3:28) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
If God said, "Ask," what would you ask for? Tap one.
Wisdom
Like Solomon. God loves to give it (James 1:5).
Help for someone
Solomon asked for wisdom to help others.
I don't know
Tell God that. He knows what you need.
Something big
God gave Solomon more than he asked. You can ask him.
You Might Have Heard
"Being smart is the same as being wise."
What's true: Knowing things is good. Solomon knew a lot.
What the story is mainly about: Solomon's wisdom started with humility: "I am only a little child." He asked for an understanding heart. Wisdom is a gift from God, used to love and protect people.
Where Jesus is: Jesus said, "One greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42). He is the wisdom of God. He didn't only discover who loved the child. He gave his own life for God's children.
Good News
Solomon asked for wisdom. God gave it, and more.
"I will give you a wise and discerning heart" (3:12).
God loves to give good gifts to his children. He gave us Jesus, who is God's wisdom, and who gave himself for us.
God gave young Solomon wisdom to do justice. Jesus is greater than Solomon, and he gives himself for us.
Big Idea
Solomon asked God for an understanding heart, and God gave him wisdom. Jesus, God's wisdom, is greater than Solomon.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that rulers need wisdom from God more than anything. He praised Solomon's prayer and said every leader should pray it.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads 1 Kings 3:5-12 in late July (Lectionary 17), next to Jesus's parables of the treasure and the pearl.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil.
How did that feel?
You finished The Wisdom of Solomon.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 17 Year AFirst reading, 1 Kings 3:5–12
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Wisdom of Solomon, explained in plain words. God tells young King Solomon to ask for anything. Then two mothers come to court. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-wisdom-of-solomon/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church