King Solomon

Vocabulary

Solomon was teenager when he was crowned king. His parents were King David and Bathsheba.

One night, Solomon had a dream. In it, Jehovah appeared before him and said, “Solomon, what would you like me to grant you?”

Solomon answered, “Jehovah my God, I am very young and I don’t know how to rule. So give me the wisdom to rule our people in a right way.

Jehovah then replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom and not for riches or glory, I will give you more wisdom than anyone who has ever lived. And I will also give you what you have not asked for, both fame and fortune.”

A short time later, two women came to King Solomon’s court. One of them carried a little baby.

The woman without the baby wanted the king to settle a dispute between them.

The first woman, the one without the baby, claimed that she had given birth to a baby boy. One day, after the baby had began crawling, she noticed that he was missing.

She looked all over, but could not find him.

Finally while in the marketplace, she saw a woman carrying a baby.

“It was my baby,” said the first woman. I knew it. I can recognize him anywhere. She stole my baby, and I want him back.”

At this point the second woman said, “She’s lying! The baby is mine: I gave birth to him!”
“I’m telling the truth, King Solomon!” said the first woman. “She’s the one who is lying!”

You’re the liar!” she said to the second woman. “The child is mine, you kidnapper!”

In this manner, they began arguing.

After a while King Solomon ordered one of the court guards to come forward.

Solomon then told him, “Take the baby from the second woman. Then cut the baby in two with your sword, and give each woman half of it.”

“NNNOOO! STOP!” screamed the first woman. “Please DON’T kill the baby! Give him to her. She can have him. He’s her baby. Just don’t harm the baby, PLEASE!” Tears streamed down her eyes.

“Aha! See, she finally admits it,” said the second woman. “She has confessed that she’s not the real mother, and that he’s my baby, because I am the real mother.”

Questions

1. Solomon was 42 when he became king. True or false?

2. In a dream, did Solomon wish for gold, silver, diamonds and rubies?

3. Two women appeared in King Solomon’s court one day. Is this right or wrong? Did they come to sell him jewelry?

4. What did the first woman claim? What happened according to the first woman?

5. The second woman agreed with the first woman’s account. Is this correct or incorrect?

6. What did King Solomon do? What happened?

7. What do you think happened later? What do you think was the verdict?

A. I have been in court. Yes or no? Have your friends ever been in court?

B. Do you know anyone who is a lawyer or judge? Would you like to be a judge or lawyer?

C. Are there lots of disputes in your city or country? Do people often sue one another?

D. Have you had disputes with anyone or an organization? What was it about?

E. What will happen in the future?