In 1 Kings 7, children learn that Solomon took great care building the Lord’s house, and that God is worthy of our very best work. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God deserves our best. When we do our work carefully and for Him, we honor the God who gave us our skills and our hands.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 7:51
Thus all the work that king Solomon did in the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the LORD’s house.
(WEB)
Say the verse slowly while you hold up both hands, then slowly pretend to lay a brick, one hand over the other. Do it three times together so children can match the words with the motion.
The Story: 1 Kings 7 for Kids
King Solomon was building a big house for God, and he worked on it for a very long time. It took him thirteen years to finish his own house, too. The king wanted everything to be strong and beautiful, so he chose the finest wood from the forests and the best stones he could find.
King Solomon asked a skilled man named Hiram to help him. Hiram was a worker in brass, and he was full of wisdom and skill. He made two tall pillars of brass for the front of the temple, and he gave them names, Jachin and Boaz. He also made a huge bowl called the molten sea, and it sat on twelve bronze oxen.
Hiram made ten little stands with wheels, and each one had lions, oxen, and palm trees carved into it. He made ten basins to sit on them. Every piece was made with great care, and every piece was shaped just right.
The people brought all the gold, silver, and special things that King David had given to God. Solomon put them into the treasury of the Lord’s house. The workers had done so much that nobody could even weigh all the brass. The king said, in effect, that this was a gift to God and it was good enough to keep for Him.
When everything was finished, the house of the Lord was ready. Every single piece had been made to honor God. The people could see that the work was done with love and with patience.
Read It Together
1 Kings 7:13-14
13 King Solomon sent and brought Hiram out of Tyre. 14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill, to work all works in brass. He came to king Solomon, and performed all his work.
(WEB)
Point out that Hiram was skilled and wise, and that God gave him his talents. Ask children what skills God has given them, and remind them those gifts can be used to help others.
1 Kings 7:21
He set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. He set up the right pillar, and called its name Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz.
(WEB)
Show children that the pillars were given names, which shows how important they were. Explain that people often name special things they care about, and that God cares about everything we do for Him.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to help build something big for God?
- What is a job you have done really carefully, and how did it make you feel?
- Why do you think King Solomon wanted the house for God to be so beautiful?
- What gifts or talents has God given you that you could use to help others?
- How can you show God that you care about doing your best in everything you do?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper Pillar
Give each child a sheet of construction paper, tape, and a few crayons or markers. Have them roll the paper into a tall tube, then decorate it with lines, flowers, or patterns like the carved work in the story. Let them name their pillar and tell the group why they chose that name.
Carry the Basin Relay
Set out a bowl, a few small cups, and a bucket at one end of the room. Children take turns carrying a cup of water across the room to fill the bowl without spilling. Talk about how carefully Hiram made each piece, and how careful effort matters even in small jobs.
Take-Home Thank You Card
Give each child a folded card and some crayons. Ask them to draw one thing they can build or do for God this week, such as helping at home or being kind to a friend. Let them take the card home and tape it somewhere they will see it each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about the details of worship and the quality of the work offered to Him. The skill of Hiram and the generosity of David and Solomon point to God as the giver of every gift. It also reminds us that finished work done faithfully is a form of praise.
Be careful not to overstate the lesson to children as a rule that God rewards only perfect work, because that can make children anxious about mistakes. Instead, emphasize that God loves us, and that offering our best effort with a happy heart is what pleases Him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for the gifts You have given us. Help us to use our hands and our minds to do our very best for You. Help us to be careful and kind in everything we do, and to share what we make with others. Amen.
