In 1 Kings 7, King Solomon builds a beautiful temple for God and fills it with careful, costly work, so children learn that we can give God our very best. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God deserves our very best, and we can use the gifts he gives us to make things that honor him.
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)
Have the children stand up tall with their arms stretched high, then slowly bring their hands together in front of their chest as they say the verse. Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time, and then finish by holding hands up high again.
The Story: 1 Kings 7 for Kids
King Solomon was the son of King David, and he was ruler over the people of Israel. God had told Solomon to build a special house for him, called the temple. Solomon worked on the temple for many years, and while he worked on his own house, he was also building God’s house with great care.
The builders made tall pillars of bronze and cedar wood, and they carved beautiful flowers and pomegranates on the tops. Many of the walls and doors were covered in fine wood and stone. Everything had to be measured carefully so that each piece fit just right.
A skilled metal worker named Hiram came from the city of Tyre. He had special wisdom and skill for making things out of bronze. Hiram made two big pillars and named them Jachin and Boaz, and he also made a huge basin called the sea, which stood on twelve bronze oxen. He said, in his own way, that every piece should be made well for God.
Hiram made ten smaller bases with wheels and carvings of lions, oxen, and palm trees, and he made ten washing basins to sit on them. Everything was cast in the ground near the river, so it would come out strong and shiny. Solomon was so pleased with the work that he did not even try to weigh it, because there was so much of it.
Solomon then brought in gold bowls, lamps, and tables for the inner room of the temple. He also brought in the silver and gold that his father David had given to God. When all the work was finished, everything was placed in the treasure rooms of God’s house.
Read It Together
1 Kings 7:14
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 filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill, and that all of these came from God. Ask the children to think about what gifts God has given them, like being good at drawing, reading, or helping others.
1 Kings 7:47
Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because there were so many of them. The weight of the brass could not be determined.
(WEB)
Show the children that the amount of metal was so great that no one could weigh it. Explain that God’s work and his worth are bigger than anything we can count or measure.
1 Kings 7:50
The cups, the snuffers, the basins, the spoons, and the fire pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, of the temple, of gold.
(WEB)
Point out that the gold went into the most holy places, the parts of the temple set apart for God. Talk about how we can set apart special times and things for God in our own lives.
Talk About It
- What did Solomon build for God, and why do you think it was so important to him?
- What were some of the beautiful things Hiram made for God’s house?
- What gifts or skills has God given you that you could use to honor him?
- How can you show God that he is worth your very best, even in small things?
- Why do you think the people kept such careful records of what they gave to God?
Activity Ideas
Build a Pillar Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, a pencil, and crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a tall pillar with a decorated top, like the ones Solomon built. Encourage them to add flowers, pomegranates, or their own patterns, and remind them to draw their best work for God.
Carry the Sea Relay
Set up two cups of water at one end of the room and two empty bowls at the other end. Have the children take turns carrying a spoonful of water across the room, one at a time, without spilling it. Talk about how each small effort adds up, like the many pieces that went into God’s temple.
Take-Home Gift Card
Give each child an index card and a crayon. Ask them to write or draw one way they can give God their best this week, such as helping at home or sharing a toy. Send the card home so the family can talk about it together during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that careful, skilled work done for God is worth doing well, and that the gifts we have come from him. It also reminds us that worship is meant to be offered with honesty, generosity, and thought.
Avoid overstating to children that building or decorating a place makes God more present, since God is with his people everywhere. Focus instead on the heart behind the work, which is giving God honor and our best.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for the gifts you have given us and for the many ways we can use them to honor you. Help us to do our very best in everything we do, big or small. We love you and want to give you our hearts. Amen.
