David Anointed King (4th-6th Grade (Ages 9-11))

David Anointed King

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Theme: God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance

Age Group: 4th-6th Grade (Ages 9-11)

Overview

Lesson Overview: Solomon Asks for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:1-15) Theme: The greatest thing we can ask God for is wisdom. Introduction (Engage & Connect): Start by asking: “What’s the hardest question you’ve ever asked someone?” (Let kids share, maybe a friend, teacher, or even a parent!) Then tell them Solomon, the wise king, faced a really big decision: “How should I rule?” God didn’t just give him power or money, he gave him the most important gift: wisdom to make the best choices. Today, we’ll see how Solomon asked God for wisdom and how we can ask God for the same gift! The Story (Explore the Bible): Solomon was young but already a king, yet he knew he needed more than just strength or fame. One night, he prayed, “God, make me wise!” (1 Kings 3:9). God answered immediately: “Because you asked for wisdom, not for wealth or fame, I’ll give you even more wisdom than anyone else!” (1 Kings 3:12). His first big test? A confusing dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same baby! Solomon asked God for a fair answer, and God showed him how to judge wisely, even when the outcome seemed unfair. God’s wisdom isn’t just about making right choices; it’s about trusting Him and asking the right questions (like Solomon did). Deeper Questions for Discussion: – Why do you think Solomon asked for wisdom first instead of more money or power? – How can our prayers look like Solomon’s? (Think: Do we ask for “big things” or ask for help to know what’s best?) – What’s one thing you wish you knew more about? (A friend’s feelings? How to help others? God’s plan for your life?) Personal Application (Reflect & Apply): Solomon’s prayer reminds us that God wants us to ask for wisdom every time we face a tough decision, whether it’s in school, friendships, or even how to pray! Just like he asked God for guidance, we can say: “God, help me make choices that honor You, even when I don’t understand everything.” Try this at home: Next time you’re unsure about something (like who to sit with in class or how to handle a test), pause and ask God for wisdom. You might not get an instant answer, but God will help you hear Him! Challenge (Take Action): Wisdom Hunt: Search the Bible together (e.g., Proverbs 1, 9, James 1:5) for other examples of people asking God for wisdom. Highlight how they used it (like Daniel asking God to protect his friends or Jesus asking His Father to turn away the cross, Matthew 26:39). Then, take a moment to write down one area where you’d like God to guide you this week. Closing (Encourage & Remember): End with a prayer: “Dear God, thank You for giving Solomon wisdom. Help me to ask You for guidance like Solomon did, even when I don’t know what to do. Show me how to make choices that honor You. Amen!” Remind kids: Wisdom isn’t about being perfect; it’s about trusting God and asking Him for help every time. What’s one thing they’ll pray about this week? Let them share! Teacher Tips for Engagement: – Use props: A “wisdom crown” (paper crown with “God’s wisdom” written inside) to hand out after the lesson. – Role-play: Act out Solomon’s prayer and God’s answer to bring it to life. – Art activity: Draw Solomon praying with a “lightbulb” for wisdom, label it with “Asking God for help!” This lesson balances Bible truth with heart-level questions to spark conversation and encourage kids to see wisdom as their most precious gift!

Bible Story

Solomon Asks for Wisdom (A Bible Story from 1 Kings 3:1-15)

One day, King Solomon was at the Temple in Jerusalem, where he prayed to God. Solomon had just become king, and he wanted to be a leader who listened to God’s guidance. As he sat on the throne, he looked around at all the people who worshiped God and thought, “I don’t know what to do next!” He knew that ruling with wisdom would help him make fair and just decisions, but he also felt confused and overwhelmed. So, he turned to God in prayer, saying, “O Lord, God of Israel, give your servant an understanding heart so that I can rule your people fairly and justly!” (1 Kings 3:9, NLT). Solomon didn’t ask for power, wealth, or long life, he asked for wisdom, which meant knowing what to do to help others.

After Solomon finished praying, God appeared to him in a dream. The Lord told him, “Because you asked for this and not for long life or wealth, I will give you what you didn’t ask for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so no one else in Israel will ever have wisdom like yours!” God also said, “I will give you wealth, honor, and great success!” (1 Kings 3:11-12, NLT). Solomon was amazed, God was giving him something he didn’t even ask for! That night, Solomon woke up and realized how special this gift was. He thanked God for listening to his prayer and promised to use his newfound wisdom to serve others.

Later that day, Solomon had a big test. Two women who were fighting over a baby came to the king, each claiming she was the mother. The woman who really had the baby was dead, and the other woman said, “Please, give the child to me!” but the real mother said, “No, let her keep it!” The king couldn’t decide who was telling the truth. He thought about his prayer and asked, “Let God judge between these two!” Then he commanded that a sword be brought, and the women were told to give the baby to the real mother. The false mother said, “Fine, let her take it!” but the real mother said, “No, give it to her!” (1 Kings 3:19-21). The king knew the true mother was acting with love, so he gave the baby to the woman who had cared for it. The king’s decision showed that he used his wisdom to help the right person, even when it was hard.

Solomon’s story teaches us that God loves when we ask Him for what’s most important, wisdom, not things we want for ourselves. Just like Solomon, we can pray for guidance and trust that God will answer in His own way. Sometimes, God gives us wisdom that we don’t even ask for, like Solomon’s dream or his later success as a king. But what matters most is that we use what we’re given to help others and follow God’s will. When we pray, we should remember to ask for wisdom, not just for ourselves, but for how we can love and serve others.

Why This Story Matters: Solomon’s story reminds us that wisdom isn’t just about knowing the right answers; it’s about choosing to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. Just like Solomon, we can ask God for guidance every day, and He’ll help us make good choices. When we pray for wisdom, we’re not just asking for answers, we’re asking God to teach us how to love and serve Him and others. That’s what makes our prayers meaningful!

Personal Reflection: Have you ever prayed for something important, like wisdom or courage? How did you feel after you prayed? How can you use wisdom today to help someone else, just like Solomon did?

Activities

Introduce the Lesson (2 min): Read 1 Kings 3:5-9 aloud, emphasizing Solomon’s prayer to God for wisdom. Ask: “What did Solomon ask for, and how does that remind you of something important you’ve learned?”
Design the Crown (5 min):
Give each child a crown template and cardstock. Have them decorate it with God’s wisdom (e.g., words like “Trust God”, “Ask first”, or symbols like a Bible).
Encourage creativity: Use markers to draw faces or patterns, or glue on cut-out paper elements (e.g., a heart for love, a lightbulb for ideas).
Reflect & Share (3 min):
Ask: “How can you practice Solomon’s example in your own life? When have you felt unsure about a decision?”
Invite volunteers to share their crown designs and one way they seek wisdom daily.
Closing Prayer (3 min): Pray that students trust God’s guidance in their choices, just as Solomon did.
Deeper Question for Discussion:
“Solomon knew God’s wisdom was better than any earthly treasure. How can you prioritize God’s answers over your own ideas?”*
2. “Wisdom Wheel: Spinning for Answers”
Teach the Story (3 min): Re-read 1 Kings 3:5, 15, focusing on Solomon’s request for wisdom and God’s promise to give it. Ask: “What did Solomon realize he needed to do before asking God?”
Create the Wheel (5 min):
Split students into groups of 3, 5. Each group folds a paper plate in half, then draws a “spinning path” on the outside edge (like a wheel).
Inside the circle, write key words related to wisdom (e.g., “Fear God”, “Pray”, “Trust God’s plan”) on paper strips. Glue them to the wheel’s center.
Decorate the wheel with markers or paint (e.g., color the plate like a target).
Spin & Reflect (3 min):
Teach how to “spin” the wheel by tying a string to the center and holding it like a top. Spin it three times, then read aloud the word on the strip that landed.
Ask: “Which word felt most important? How can you ‘spin’ your decisions like Solomon did, stopping to ask God first?”
Personal Application (4 min):
Challenge students to journal one decision this week where they’ll pause to pray for wisdom (e.g., a big project, a friendship issue).
Share one example of when they’ve felt God’s guidance before.
Deeper Question for Discussion:
“Solomon didn’t know what he was asking for, he just knew he needed God’s help. How can you approach problems like that? What might you ‘not know’ that God wants to reveal to you?”*
Why These Work:
Both activities use simple, reusable materials (e.g., paper plates, crown templates).
They encourage teamwork (crowns or wheels require collaboration).
The supplement Bible study with open-ended questions to spark deeper reflection.
Personal application ties wisdom to their lives, not just memorization.

Discussion Questions

Here are four open-ended discussion questions for upper elementary students (ages 9, 11) based on the story of Solomon asking for wisdom (1 Kings 3). These questions encourage deeper reflection, biblical application, and personal connection while allowing room for thoughtful responses:
What do you think Solomon was thinking about when he asked God for wisdom instead of wealth or power?
(Prompt students to consider the heart behind Solomon’s request and why he chose wisdom over other things.)*
Many times, when people ask for big things, like fame, money, or even special talents, they might be hiding deeper desires. What do you think Solomon might have been hoping to gain from wisdom? How could wisdom help him (or anyone) make better choices? Have you ever felt like you needed something more in your life? What was it, and how did you decide whether it was the right choice to ask for it?
How does Solomon’s story show us that asking for God’s help isn’t selfish, it’s brave?
(Encourages students to explore the idea that seeking wisdom from God requires trust.)*
Solomon didn’t just ask God for a favor; he asked for a gift that would guide him. When we ask God for something, do you think it’s okay to want help with big decisions, like what to study or how to handle a tough friendship? Why or why not? What happens when we trust God to lead us, even when we don’t always understand the answer? Can you think of a time when you asked God for something and waited for his answer?
If you were in Solomon’s shoes, how would you have answered God’s question: “What do you want me to give you?”
(Fosters imaginative thinking while tying to real-life choices.)*
Solomon’s answer was bold: “Give me wisdom so I can rule my people fairly.” What would you say if you were asked that question? Do you think wisdom is the only thing you should ask for? What other things might God want you to ask for, like courage, kindness, or forgiveness? Why do you think God might want to give these things to people? Have you ever had a moment where you wished for something specific, like bravery or understanding? How did you respond?
How can we use wisdom today, just like Solomon did, to make good choices, even when we’re scared or unsure?
(Connects biblical wisdom to practical life applications.)*
Solomon’s wisdom helped him make just decisions, even when he didn’t know all the answers. How can we ask for wisdom today to help us in small things, like choosing to be kind or standing up for what’s right? What’s one decision you’ve made recently where you wish you had thought more carefully? How could wisdom have helped you make it better? Think about a time you made a choice that didn’t go your way. What did you learn from it? How can God’s wisdom help you next time?
These questions invite students to explore the story from multiple angles, what Solomon did, why he did it, and how their own lives intersect with wisdom. They also give space for personal reflection, so students can connect the story to their own experiences. Would you like any adjustments to fit a specific lesson focus?

Prayer Focus

Prayer Focus for Upper Elementary (Ages 9, 11): “Solomon’s Wise Heart” Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for the boy Solomon, so young but so brave! He walked into Your presence in the temple, trembling but full of hope. You heard him and gave him a big heart: wisdom, understanding, and even the ability to judge right and wrong. Lord, help us to be like Solomon, listening to You, even when we don’t fully understand. Give us the courage to stand before You, just like he did, asking for what we truly need to serve You well. Help us to seek Your wisdom not just when it’s easy, but even when life feels hard. (1 Kings 3:9, 10) Father, sometimes we think wisdom means being smart or being the “best” at everything. But Solomon asked for wisdom to do Your will, so help us to ask for the same thing! Help us to grow like trees planted by streams of water, always learning and listening to You. (Psalm 1:3) When we ask for wisdom, remind us that it’s not just about getting answers, but about trusting You more. (James 1:5) Lord, what if we ask for wisdom but still make choices that don’t honor You? Help us to turn back when we stray. Just like Solomon prayed, “Speak to Your servant with Your true word” (v. 13), give us hearts that listen to You and obey You in everything. Help us to see when we need help, and to ask for it with faith. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Father, we’re so grateful for Solomon’s example, even though he had big dreams and made mistakes later. Teach us that You’re still listening today! Help us to grow like Solomon did, with a heart that seeks You first. When we pray like this, remind us: You hear every honest heart! (1 Kings 3:14-15) For the Teacher to Pray with the Class: “Heavenly Father, You gave Solomon a heart like no other, willing to ask for wisdom, even when it cost him. Today, we ask You to help us be like Solomon: brave in prayer, humble in seeking You, and trusting that You hear us. Give us the courage to speak to You just as He did, knowing You’ll give us what we truly need. Help us to grow in wisdom, not just for school or success, but for living Your way. Amen.” Deeper Questions for Reflection: 1. What’s one way we’ve seen wisdom in our lives this week? How did it feel to listen to God? 2. If Solomon had asked for more of something (like money or power), what might have happened? Why did he ask for wisdom? 3. What’s a “hard choice” we’ve faced? How can we pray for wisdom to make the right one? Personal Application: “Today, I will ask God one small thing, just like Solomon did. Even if it’s something tiny, I’ll trust Him to give me what I need to be brave, kind, and wise.”

Missions Spotlight

The Akan people of Ghana have a rich tradition of proverbs and wisdom sayings. Missionaries have found that Solomon’s story resonates deeply, and the concept of ‘wisdom from God’ opens doors to share about Jesus, the Wisdom of God.

To the Cross

Solomon asked for wisdom and God was pleased. But the Bible says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ True wisdom leads us to Jesus, ‘in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:3).

Family Take-Home

Here’s a quick summary for families: In the Bible story of Solomon, God gives him the chance to ask for one special wish, Solomon asks for wisdom to help lead his people wisely, even if it means not getting wealth or power. God is so pleased, He gives Solomon more than he asked for! This teaches us that asking for God’s guidance is always the best choice, no matter what we want.

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