Children's Bible Lessons

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David Crowns Solomon King LEVEL 5 LESSON 5 David Crowns Solomon King

s we learned in Lesson 4, King David to run before him. Then, Adonijah hosted a A was a man who feared and obeyed feast in his own honor and invited his God. All the days of his life, he set his heart brothers, all of the men of Judah, and the to do the will of God. But, like any human king’s servants. However, he did not invite being, he was not perfect. He made some his brother Solomon, Nathan the prophet, or mistakes. However, when David recognized David’s mighty men. that a mistake had been made, he repented When Nathan heard what was happen- with all of his heart. ing, he contacted Bathsheba, David’s wife As a result of a mistake that he made in and the mother of Solomon. He knew that the past, God told David that his household both Bathsheba’s and Solomon’s life would would experience trouble. Near the end of be in danger if Adonijah succeeded in his his life, one of his sons conspired to take the mission. Therefore, he told Bathsheba to go throne. However, David would not stand to King David and inform him of every- idle and watch this happen. thing that was going on and that afterwards

A Coup Thwarted

David’s son Adonijah, brother of Absalom, thought that after his father died, he would be the king of Israel. To make sure that this came to pass, he conspired with Joab (the captain of Israel’s army) and with Abiathar the priest. He also gathered a host of chariots and horsemen

1 Illustrations by Paula Rondeau CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON he would come in and confirm everything that she had said. So, she did exactly as the prophet had advised. Bathsheba bowed before David and proceeded to tell him of Adonijah’s actions. She explained that Adonijah had already declared himself king and that she and Solomon would be in danger after David’s death. Also, she reminded David of the promise he They did exactly as the king had com- made about Solomon taking the throne manded. Zadok the priest anointed Solomon after him. king and the people shouted, “Long live Then, as planned, Nathan the prophet King Solomon!” came in and confirmed Bathsheba’s words. As Adonijah and his guests finished eat- After meditating on the words of ing, they heard the commotion, and won- Nathan, David summoned Bathsheba. dered what it was about. Jonathan, the son Notice what David said to her in I Kings of Abiathar the priest, told them that David 1:32-35: “And King David said, ‘Call to had Solomon anointed king. me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, After hearing the words of Jonathan, all and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.’ So they of Adonijah’s guests fled in fear. Adonijah came before the king. The king also said to was also fearful and fled. Then, he took them, ‘Take with you the servants of your hold of the horns of the altar, staying there lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my until King Solomon promised not to put him own mule, and take him down to Gihon. to death. There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the However, Solomon made no such prom- prophet anoint him king over Israel; and ise. Notice what he said in I Kings 1:52: “If blow the horn, and say, “Long live King he proves himself a worthy man, not one Solomon!” Then you shall come up after hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if him, and he shall come and sit on my wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” throne, and he shall be king in my place. After hearing that, Adonijah came and hon- For I have appointed him to be ruler over ored the king. Then, the king sent him Israel and Judah.’” home.

LEVEL 5 / LESSON 5 2 way, to ______in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’” David also warned Solomon to put his kingdom in order by dealing with the people who caused David trouble. David said, “Now son, you know what Joab did to me and that he killed Amasa and Abner, the commanders of the armies of Israel. Therefore, do not allow him to go to the grave in peace. However, be kind to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and allow them to eat at your table, as they helped me when I fled from your brother Absalom. Also, remember that you have Shimei dwell- ing with you. He cursed me maliciously when I fled to Mahanaim. However, I swore to him by the Lord that I would not put him to death. But you must not hold him guilt- The Passing of the Scepter less. You are wise and know that he should not be allowed to die in peace.” Now, David was old and ready to die. But After having reigned over Israel for 40 before he did, he left the following words years, David died and was buried in the City of wisdom for his son Solomon. Turn to I of David. Kings 2:2-4 and fill in the blanks: “I go the Even to the moment of his death, David way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, was teaching his son to obey God. He real- and prove yourself a man. And ______ized that the true meaning of this life is not ______of the Lord your God: to found in any amount of money you aquire walk in His ______, to keep or how many possessions you have. David His ______, His realized that the purpose of this life is to ______, His prepare us for the next one. And that is ______, and His exactly how he lived his life. ______, as it is written in the David, a man after God’s own heart, has Law of Moses, that you ______been chosen by God to be king over Israel ______in all that you do and in the coming Kingdom of God. Notice: wherever you turn; that the Lord may ful- “But they shall serve the Lord their God, fill His word which He spoke concerning and David their king, whom I will raise up me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their for them” (Jeremiah 30:9).

CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON 3 Afterwards, the king also decided to deal Putting the Kingdom in Order with Abiathar the priest. He said, “Go to Anathoth, out of the sight of the king, for After Solomon had taken the throne, you know that you deserve to die. But I will Adonijah approached Bathsheba with a not destroy you because you were respon- strange request. He said, “You know that I sible for the Ark of the Covenant during my was next in line to rule Israel and that the father’s reign, and because you afflicted people wanted me to rule. Nevertheless, it yourself when my father was afflicted. was given to my brother by God. But, I ask However, I am removing you from being a you this one thing for me. Speak to King priest. Now be gone!” Solomon on my behalf, because I know that This event fulfilled God’s promise to he will not hold anything back from you. remove Eli’s family line from the priest- Ask him to allow me to marry Abishag the hood (I Samuel 2:30-35). This is further Shunammite.” proof that when God says that He is going Bathsheba agreed to speak to the king on to do something, He does not fail to do it! his behalf. When Joab heard what had happened to When Bathsheba met with the king, she Adonijah and Abiathar, he knew that he was said, “I have a favor to ask of you, and I ask next. So, he also fled and took hold of the you not to deny me this request.” King horns of the altar. Solomon said, “Go ahead and ask mother, King Solomon found out where Joab because I will not deny you.” So she said, was and sent Benaiah to execute him. “Allow Adonijah to marry Abishag.” Benaiah yelled for Joab to come out of the King Solomon answered, “Why are you tabernacle. However, Joab refused, saying asking me to allow Adonijah to marry that he would rather die where he was. Abishag? Why not also ask me to hand over Benaiah told the king what Joab had the kingdom to him— not only him, but also said. The king responded, “Do exactly as he Abiathar the priest, and Joab the son of has said. Destroy him and then bury him. Zeruiah. Adonijah has asked this petition Let the innocent blood of Amasa and Abner against his own life! With God as my wit- be on his head and no longer on my father’s ness, today, Adonijah will surely be put to house.” Benaiah obeyed the king and killed death!” Joab in the tabernacle, and then he buried King Solomon sent Benaiah to execute him. Afterward, the king placed Benaiah in Adonijah. charge of the army of Israel and put Zadok Adonijah was being tricky. He figured in the office of high priest. that if he could marry Abishag, it would Remembering what his father told him, appear that he was the rightful heir to Solomon summoned Shimei. When he David’s throne. However, King Solomon appeared, the king said, “Build a house here saw right through his evil plot. Adonijah’s in Jerusalem in which to dwell, because you foolishness ultimately led to his death. are forbidden to go anywhere else. The day

LEVEL 5 / LESSON 5 4 that you disobey me and cross the Brook him in a dream. God asked Solomon what Kidron, know for certain that you will be he wanted from Him and He would give it put to death; and you will be guilty of your to him. Turn to I Kings 3:6-9 for Solomon’s own death.” answer, and fill in the blanks: When Shimei heard the king’s terms, he “And Solomon said: ‘You have shown agreed to them. great mercy to Your servant David my However, one day, two of Shimei’s slaves father, because ______ran away to Gath. When he heard this, he ______in truth, in righteousness, saddled his donkey and went after— directly and in uprightness of heart with You; You disobeying the king’s command. After have continued this great kindness for him, Shimei returned, the king summoned him and You have given him a son to sit on his again. King Solomon said, “Did you not throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my swear by the Lord that you would not leave God, You have made Your servant king Jerusalem, and did I not tell you what would instead of my father David, but ______happen to you if you did? Why did you not ______keep your oath, and why did you disobey _____; I do not know how to go out or come me? You already know that because of what in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your you did to my father, you are worthy of people whom You have chosen, a great death. Today, that sentence will be carried people, too numerous to be numbered or out.” counted. Therefore give to Your servant The king had Benaiah execute Shimei, ______which completed the task of putting his to judge Your people, that I may ______kingdom in order as his father had instruct- between good and evil. For who is able to ed. judge this great people of Yours?’” When God heard this, He was very Test Your Memory: pleased. Solomon was practicing the give way of life. He was not focused on himself. 1) Which of David’s sons tried to seize the He could have asked for selfish things, but throne? ______he did not. And because of that, God 2) True or False? Bathsheba was Solomon’s answered his prayer, and He decided to give sister. Solomon those things for which he did not 3) After the death of Joab, who did Solomon ask—riches, honor and long life. make commander of Israel’s army? ______Also notice that Solomon considered ______himself to be a child when he made this prayer. God, the same Being who said, The Wisdom of Solomon “Suffer the little children to come unto Me,” heard Solomon’s prayer and answered it. One day, while King Solomon was offering Do not be afraid to go to God because you sacrifices at Gibeon, the Eternal appeared to are a child. If you talk to God, He will listen

5 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON and respond to you. The Temple Is Built Sometime after this prayer, Now, Solomon was ready to build God’s two women temple. He requested the help of Hiram, appeared before king of Tyre, in this task. The Sidonians the king. Both were very skilled at cutting timber, and women claimed Solomon wanted the best. King Hiram, a that a certain dear friend of David, was happy to help child was their Solomon in any way that he could. own and that the other’s child had died. King Solomon commanded that the child be cut in two pieces and one half given to one woman and the other half given to the other. The real mother of the child begged the king to let the other woman have her son. She did not want to see her son killed. However, the other woman agreed with the king and asked for the child to be cut The temple was patterned after God’s in two. The king perceived that the first tabernacle. Its stone walls were covered woman was the mother because of the com- with cedar paneling and overlaid with passion that she had for the child, and he gold. Just outside the temple’s entrance commanded that she be given the child. were two giant pillars, named Boaz (“in it God kept His promise. He gave King is strength”) and Jachin (“He shall estab- Solomon great wisdom. All of Israel feared lish”). Inside the temple was a vestibule the king because they knew that God had (or porch) at the front. Next was the sanc- given him great wisdom so that he could tuary, or the Holy Place, which housed the execute proper judgment. altar of incense and 10 golden tables with Solomon had great riches in addition to 10 golden lamp stands. After this chamber the wisdom God gave him. He spoke over came the inner sanctuary, or the Most Holy 3,000 proverbs and created over 1,000 Place. This is where the Ark of the Covenant songs. Men from different parts of the world was to be stationed. Around the temple was came to hear Solomon’s understanding. an inner court used by priests. It had a God answered David’s prayer and made his round bronze basin called a Sea, and held son’s throne greater than his. about 12,000 gallons of water that the

LEVEL 5 / LESSON 5 6 priests used to wash themselves and their when the Amalekites attacked Israel in the sacrifices. It also supplied water for the wilderness (Exodus 17:8-16)—and prayed smaller basins that were used. There was to God. also an outer court used by the rest of the In his prayer of dedication, the king said, Israelites. From the laying of the founda- “Eternal God of Israel, there is none like tion to its completion, the temple of God You in heaven or on the earth. You have took seven years and six months to finish. kept Your promise to my father David in After the building of the temple had been having his son build Your house. Now I ask completed, King Solomon assembled Israel that You keep Your promise to always have at the temple. He had the priests bring the a descendant of David sitting on Israel’s Ark of the Covenant and set it in the Most throne, as long as that man is careful to walk Holy Place. Once the priests came out of the in all Your ways.” Holy Place, the glory of God descended When he finished praying, Solomon upon the house of the Lord in a cloud. This stood up and blessed the assembly. took place in front of the eyes of all of Then, he and the people dedicated the Israel. temple to God’s service, and offered burnt The king reminded the assembly why sacrifices—22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep. God’s temple was built. Then Solomon The people had given so much in burnt kneeled before the altar, spread his hands offerings, grain offerings and peace offer- out toward heaven— as Moses had done ings that the bronze altar outside the temple

7 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON was too small to handle such large had continued to obey God, He would have contributions. established them as His model nation to the The ceremony was an especially world. However, if they did not continue to awe-inspiring and festive occasion, as the obey Him, then He would remove them latter half of the 14-day event took place dur- from the land and destroy the temple. God ing the Feast of Tabernacles, which pictures kept His word. Other than the tribe of Judah, the Kingdom of God. Israel no longer inhabits the “promised When the celebration was finally over, land.” And in the place in which the temple Solomon sent the people home. They were was located, there is now a Muslim mosque. full of joy and appreciative of all the good Always take God’s warnings seriously. that God had done for them. He always does what He says He will do. It Shortly after his dedication prayer, God may not come immediately, but God’s words appeared before Solomon in a dream. He let always come to pass. Solomon know that He heard his prayer and that He consecrated the temple. Turn to I Test Your Memory: Kings 9:4-7 for the rest of God’s words to Solomon, and fill in the blanks: 1) Where was Solomon sacrificing to God “Now if you walk before Me as your when He appeared to him in a dream? ____ father David walked, in integrity of heart ______and in ______, to do according 2) Why did Solomon decide to give the to all that ______child to the first woman? ______, and if you keep My stat- ______utes and My judgments, then I will establish ______the throne of your kingdom over Israel for- 3) What king agreed to help Solomon build ever, as I promised David your father, say- the temple? ______ing, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’ But if you or your sons at The Queen of Sheba Seeks Solomon all ______from following Me, and ______keep My commandments and My One day, the king received a visit from the statutes which I have set before you, but go Queen of Sheba, who had brought spices, and serve other gods and worship them, gold and precious stones from her king- then ______Israel dom. She had traveled more than 1,000 from the land which I have given them; and miles to see if Solomon’s reputation of this house which I have consecrated for My being the wisest man on Earth was indeed name I will cast out of My sight. Israel will true. be a proverb and a byword among all peo- The queen peppered Solomon with many ples.” difficult questions and riddles— and was This was a serious warning to King amazed at his ability to answer all of them. Solomon and to the house of Israel. If they Finally, she was convinced that all she had

LEVEL 5 / LESSON 5 8 heard about him was true. In fact, she said Before her visit was over, the Queen of to him, “I have not heard even half of the Sheba presented Solomon with almost 4 greatness of your wisdom! Your servants 1/2 tons of gold, an abundance of silver and and assistants are blessed to be in your com- precious stones and more spices than the pany and hear your great understanding. king had ever received. Your God, the Eternal, must be delighted in And King Solomon gave back to the using you to execute justice and righteous- queen all that she desired, even more than ness over His people Israel.” she had given to him. Then, she and her entourage returned to her kingdom (I Kings 10:1-13; II Chronicles 9:1-12).

Solomon Turns From God

As the years went by, Solomon married many women. In fact, he had over 700 wives and 300 concubines. Many, if not most, of them were foreign, and they turned Solomon’s heart away from following God. Centuries earlier, God warned the future leaders of Israel to not inter- marry with the sur- rounding nations. Read Deuteronomy 17:14-17, then fill in the blanks: “When you come to the land which the

9 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON Lord your God is giving you, and possess one from the house of Israel! God decided it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king to make an Ephraimite by the name of over me ______Jeroboam king over 10 of the 12 tribes of ____ that are around me,’ you shall surely Israel. God promised to establish Jeroboam’s set a king over you whom the Lord your house like David’s if he would obey Him. God chooses; one from among your breth- This did not make King Solomon happy. ren you shall set as king over you; you may In fact, as Saul did to David, Solomon not set a foreigner over you, who is not your sought to kill Jeroboam. However, he brother. But he ______escaped to Egypt and stayed there until the ______horses for death of Solomon. himself, nor cause the people to return to Solomon reigned over Israel for 40 years, Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has and then he died. said to you, ‘You shall not return that way Because the Bible does not openly say again.’ Neither shall he ______so, most people believe that Solomon did ______for himself, lest his not repent before he died. Yet, the book of heart ______...” Ecclesiastes, which he wrote, reveals a man Solomon did not heed this warning. nearing the end of his life, one who realizes Instead, earlier in his life, he married the that seeking after the material things of this daughter of Pharaoh. He loved his wives. world is useless. The book teaches that true He even set up idols in the high places for happiness, peace and fulfillment come from his wives to sacrifice to and worship. putting God’s Way first—rejecting foolish This made God very angry. Notice what ways for godly wisdom. God said to Solomon in I Kings 11:11-13: In the next lesson, we will learn what “Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, occurred in the aftermath of Solomon’s ‘Because you have done this, and have not decision and death. kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear Test Your Memory: the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it 1) Why did the Queen of Sheba want to in your days, for the sake of your father meet Solomon? ______David; I will tear it out of the hand of your ______son. However I will not tear away the ______whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to ______your son for the sake of My servant David, 2) How many wives and concubines did and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have Solomon have? ______chosen.’” ______Because of Solomon’s sin, the peace that 3) Who did God decide to make king over the kingdom experienced was over. God 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel? ______raised up adversaries to trouble Israel—even ______

BIBLE MEMORY: I Kings 2:1-3

WHO AM I? Can you find out who is being described below? Use each name from the name bank.

______’s bothers were Adonijah and Absalom.

______cursed King David. Later, King Solomon had him put to death.

______is the wife of King David.

______killed Amasa and Abner.

______is where Solomon was declared king.

______and ______were commanders of Israel’s armies.

______the Gileadite helped King David when Absalom was chasing him.

______wanted to marry Abishag the Shunamite.

______the priest anointed Solomon king of Israel.

Name Bank:

Abner Barzillai Gihon Zadok Adonijah Bathsheba Joab Amasa Solomon Shimei

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