The verse anchor
"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad."
1 Kings 3:9 · King James Bible
The story
When King David died, his son Solomon became the new king of Israel. Solomon was young. He knew how hard it would be to rule such a great people.
One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, "Ask what I shall give thee."
Solomon could have asked for anything — money, long life, victory over his enemies. But he asked for something else. He said, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad."
God was very pleased. God said, "Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor the life of thine enemies… behold, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart." And God also gave Solomon riches and honour and long life — because he had chosen wisdom first.
One day two women came before King Solomon. They lived in the same house. Each of them had a baby boy. In the middle of the night one of the babies had died — and now both women said the living baby was theirs.
The first woman said, "This woman's child died in the night, and she came and put her dead baby in my arms while I slept, and took away my son."
The second woman said, "No! The living baby is mine, and the dead one is yours."
They shouted at each other before the king. No one could tell who was telling the truth.
Then Solomon called for a sword. He said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other."
The first mother — the one who was lying — said, "Yes! Let it be neither hers nor mine!"
But the true mother cried out, "O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it." She would rather lose her son than see him harmed.
Then the king said, "Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof."
All Israel heard of the king's judgment. And they were amazed — because the wisdom of God was in Solomon to do judgment.
One thing we learn
The best thing you can ask God for is not money, not fame, not long life. Ask him for wisdom — a heart that knows what is right and what is loving.
Memory verse
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom."
Proverbs 4:7 · KJV
Say it three times before bed. In seven days you will know it forever.
A prayer
Lord, give me an understanding heart.
Help me to know what is right,
and to love what is good.
Amen.
Beneath the story · for grown-ups
To walk further with the household: