This lesson teaches children that when we let other things take God’s place in our hearts, we drift away from him, and that God keeps his promises even when we fail. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God wants all of our hearts, and he always keeps his promises, even when we do not keep ours.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 11:4
When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father was.
(WEB)
Hold your hands together in front of your chest, then slowly turn them outward, like a heart turning away. Then bring them back together and hold them still to show that our hearts can come back to God.
The Story: 1 Kings 11 for Kids
King Solomon was the son of King David, and God had made him very wise and very rich. But Solomon married many wives from other nations, and God had told the people of Israel not to do this. These wives worshiped other gods, and they were not happy with only Solomon’s God.
As Solomon grew old, his heart began to turn away from God. He built places where people could worship idols, including Chemosh and Molech. God was not pleased, and he was sad to see his king forget him.
God spoke to Solomon and said, “Because you have not kept my commands, I will take most of the kingdom away from your family.” But God also said he would keep one tribe for Solomon’s son, because of his promise to King David. God kept his word even when Solomon did not.
Then God raised up some enemies against Solomon. One was a man named Hadad, who fled to Egypt as a boy and came back later to cause trouble. Another was Rezon, who gathered men and ruled over Syria.
God also chose a young man named Jeroboam to rule over ten tribes. A prophet named Ahijah tore his new cloak into twelve pieces and gave Jeroboam ten of them. God told Jeroboam that if he obeyed God, God would be with him. But Jeroboam had to run away to Egypt when Solomon tried to hurt him.
Solomon died after forty years as king, and his son Rehoboam became king in his place. The kingdom would soon be divided, just as God had said.
Read It Together
1 Kings 11:1-2
1 Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites; 2 of the nations concerning which the LORD said to the children of Israel, “You shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon joined to these in love.
(WEB)
Point out that Solomon loved many things that were not God, and that God had warned his people about it. Ask children what kinds of things can pull our hearts away from God today.
1 Kings 11:11-13
11 Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. 12 Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it out of your son’s hand. 13 However I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”
(WEB)
Show that God said he would take the kingdom away, but he also promised to keep part of it for David’s sake. Explain that God keeps his promises even when people disobey him.
1 Kings 11:38
It shall be, if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
(WEB)
Point out that God offered Jeroboam a future if he would listen and obey. Help children see that God invites us to follow him and gives us blessing when we do.
Talk About It
- What did Solomon do that made God unhappy with him?
- Why do you think God kept his promise to King David even when Solomon disobeyed?
- What are some things that might take up too much room in our hearts?
- How can we tell when something is becoming more important to us than God?
- What is one way you can show God that he is first in your heart this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a large heart in the middle of the page, then fill the heart with words or pictures of things they love. Talk together about which things should stay inside the heart with God at the center, and which things might be crowding him out.
Follow the Leader Turn
Gather the children in a circle and choose one child to be the leader. Have the leader give simple movements, like hopping, clapping, or spinning, and everyone copies. Then pause and say that a heart can turn away from God, and have everyone slowly turn their backs to the leader. Finish by having everyone turn back and face the leader again, to show that God welcomes us home.
Heart Reminder Card
You will need an index card or a piece of cardstock, a marker, and a sticker or a crayon. Help the child write the memory verse or a short phrase like “God first” on the card, then decorate it with a heart. Encourage them to place the card somewhere they will see it each morning, such as on a bedroom mirror or by the breakfast table.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes his covenant seriously, and that the things we love most shape the direction of our lives. Solomon began with great gifts and wisdom, yet a divided heart led him away from the God who had given him everything. The chapter also shows God’s patient faithfulness, since he preserved a tribe for David’s sake and gave Jeroboam a real chance to obey.
With children, avoid suggesting that God is cruel or that every hard thing that happens is a punishment for sin. Keep the focus on God’s love and faithfulness, and on the simple truth that our hearts can turn toward him again.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we want our hearts to belong to you first. Help us notice the things that try to take your place, and bring us back to you when we wander. Thank you for keeping your promises even when we do not. Amen.
