This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Kings 3:15-28, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a very wise king named Solomon. One night, God visited Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could make good decisions and rule his people well.
One day, two women came to King Solomon with a problem. They both lived in the same house and had babies at the same time. But in the middle of the night, one of the women accidentally rolled over her baby and he died. Then she switched her dead baby with the other woman’s live baby.
The two women argued and said that the live baby was theirs. King Solomon didn’t know who was telling the truth. So, he came up with a plan. He told his servants to bring a sword and cut the live baby in half, giving each woman half of the baby.
The real mother of the baby cried out, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”
But the other woman said, “Neither of us should have him. Cut him in two!”
Then Solomon knew that the woman who wanted to save the baby was the real mother. So, he said, “Give the living baby to her. Don’t kill him. She is his mother.”
Everyone in the kingdom was amazed by Solomon’s wisdom, and they knew that God had given him the ability to make fair and just decisions.
Biblical Lessons
- God can give us wisdom if we ask for it.
- It’s important to make fair and just decisions, even if it’s difficult.
- Mothers love their children very much.
Related Stories
David Returns the Ark to Jerusalem
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
View on Amazon
Pilgrim Theology
An accessible summary of Reformed theology that connects doctrine to the Christian life.
View on Amazon
The God Who Is There
Shows how the God of the Bible speaks into modern philosophical and cultural confusion.
View on Amazon
Future Grace
Argues that faith in God's future grace frees believers from the enslaving power of sin.
View on Amazon
Biblical Theology
A classic work tracing the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Concise Theology
Short, Scripture-filled summaries of key doctrines, written with clarity and warmth.
View on Amazon
The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Trusting God
Encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Leadership
Biblical principles for godly leadership in the church, home, and workplace.
View on Amazon
Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Summarizes key doctrines of Scripture in concise questions and answers.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Preaching
A standard textbook on preaching that shows how to proclaim Christ from all of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Hiding Place
The story of Corrie ten Boom's faith and forgiveness in the midst of Nazi persecution.
View on Amazon
Shepherding a Child's Heart
Biblical parenting that aims at a child's heart, not just outward behavior.
View on Amazon