In 1 Kings 10, children learn that the queen of Sheba saw that Solomon’s wisdom and riches came from God, and that God gives good gifts to people who trust Him. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God gives wisdom and good things, and when we ask Him for help, He helps us do what is right and fair.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 10:9
Blessed is the LORD your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel. Because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”
(WEB)
Ask children to stand up tall with both hands on their heart when they say the verse, then slowly lift their arms wide like they are opening a gift. Repeat it three times together, adding the motion each time so the words and the action stick.
The Story: 1 Kings 10 for Kids
Once there was a king named Solomon, and he was the king of Israel. God had made him very wise, so people came from far away to hear him talk. One day, a queen named the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon and how wise he was. She wanted to find out if the stories were true, so she decided to visit him in Jerusalem.
She traveled with a big group of people, and her camels were loaded with spices, gold, and precious stones. When she met Solomon, she asked him many hard questions. Solomon answered every single one, and nothing was hidden from him. The queen was amazed at how wise he was.
She saw his beautiful house, the food on his table, and his servants and officials who stood ready to help him. She felt her breath go out of her, because she had never seen anything like it. She said to the king, “I heard about your wisdom at home, but I did not believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. You are even greater than what I was told.”
The queen gave Solomon a gift of much gold and many spices and jewels. Then Solomon gave her everything she asked for, and she went home happy. Solomon’s riches grew so large that his kings and traders brought him gold every year. He made fine things like a great throne of ivory covered in gold, and his drinking cups were all made of gold.
Solomon had so much that silver was as common as stones in Jerusalem. People from many nations came to hear his wisdom. The Bible tells us that God had given Solomon this wisdom, and that the greatest gift was the wisdom to do what was right.
Read It Together
1 Kings 10:1
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the LORD’s name, she came to test him with hard questions.
(WEB)
Point out that the queen heard about Solomon’s wisdom and came to see for herself. Ask children how it feels to hear something good about someone and want to find out if it is true.
1 Kings 10:6-7
6 She said to the king, “It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts, and of your wisdom. 7 However I didn’t believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. Behold, not even half was told me! Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.
(WEB)
Show how the queen was surprised that the reports were even truer than she expected. Explain that she admired Solomon’s wisdom, and that God was the source of it.
1 Kings 10:23-24
23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. 24 All the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
(WEB)
Point out that Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom, and that people came from everywhere to hear what God had put in his heart. Remind children that every good thing we have comes from God.
Talk About It
- What did the queen of Sheba want to find out when she traveled to see Solomon?
- Why do you think the queen was so amazed at Solomon’s wisdom and his house?
- Where did Solomon’s wisdom come from, and how can we ask God for wisdom today?
- What is something good that someone told you about, and then you found out it was even better?
- How can we use the gifts God gives us to help other people do what is right?
Activity Ideas
Crown of Gold Craft
You will need yellow paper, scissors, tape or glue, and crayons or markers. Cut a strip of yellow paper long enough to wrap around each child’s head, then have them decorate it with jewels drawn in crayon. Tape the ends together and talk about how a king’s crown shows his honor, and how God is the true King who gives us wisdom.
Walk Like a Queen Game
You will need a open space and a few soft objects to balance, such as beanbags or folded socks. Have children carry a beanbag on their heads as they walk slowly from one side of the room to the other, pretending to be the queen of Sheba visiting Solomon. Each time they arrive, they can say one thing they have learned about wisdom.
Wisdom Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper, and a pen. Each day for a week, have your child write or draw one way they asked God for help or saw His wisdom in their day, and fold it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and thank God for the wisdom He has given.
Teacher Notes
For adults, 1 Kings 10 shows that Solomon’s great wealth and wisdom were gifts from God, and that the Lord’s name was honored through them. The chapter also warns, in its quiet way, that riches can draw attention away from God, which becomes clearer in later chapters of the book.
When teaching children, avoid making the lesson mainly about gold, jewels, or a king’s luxury. Keep the focus on God as the giver of wisdom and on the value of honoring Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for the wisdom You give to people who ask You for help. Help us to listen to You, to be honest and fair, and to use the good gifts You give us to care for others. We love You and trust You to guide us each day. Amen.
