#57.5 Solomon the Wise King

#57.5 Stories from the Tanakh

Solomon the Wise King

 

#1 Read and Learn: The Story of Solomon the Wise King

The first King of Israel was Saul, the farmer-king. The second was David, the warrior-king. And the third was Solomon, the son of David. In a dream one night, Solomon heard God ask, “What shall I give you?” And Solomon answered, “O God, You have already made me a king. You have already given me a great father and mother. But I know so little. So, could you give me a kind and understanding heart so that I can judge Your people with wisdom?”

And God was pleased, “Because you did not ask for gold, or long life, or death for your enemies, I will give you wisdom. And I will also give you glory and riches. You shall be the greatest of kings. And, if you walk in My ways, I will also give you long life.” Then Solomon awoke and knew it had been a dream. But he spoke a prayer, thanking God for the dream.

One day, when King Solomon was sitting in judgement, two women came before him to present a problem. One said, “We live together in the same house. I gave birth to a child, and three days later she also gave birth to a child. And there were only the two of us in the house. That night, her baby died. When she saw that I was asleep, she took by baby and placed her baby beside me. When I awoke in the morning, I saw the child, but he was not mine. O great and mighty king, force her to give me back my baby.”

The other woman said, “No. This baby is mine.” And the two women argued back and forth. At last Solomon said, “Bring a sword and cut the child in two.” One woman said, “That’s a very wise judgement, O king.” But the other woman said, “No, no! Please do not hurt the baby. Let her have him, but do not hurt the child.”

King Solomon spoke again, “Now I know who is the true mother of the child! Give the baby to the woman who refused to harm him. She is the true mother!”

Later, when the people of Israel heard the story of Solomon’s judgement, they thanked God for giving them a wise king. And the people loved Solomon as long as he lived. They read the words of wisdom that he wrote. They worked to build the Temple with him. They prayed with him when he prayed and sang with him when he sang, and mourned for him when he died. Even today, they still tell stories about Solomon, the wise king of Israel.

#2 Read and Reflect: 

What does it mean:
“Who is wise? One who learns from every person?” (Avot:4:1)
How was King Solomon able to help the women? What did he have to do before he could help them? How can you help others when they are arguing?

#3 Watch and Learn: Shammai and Hillel “Disagreements for the Sake of Heaven”

Think of an argument or disagreement that you have had in the last few weeks. Answer these questions to yourself:

  • Who was it with?
  • What was it about?
  • How did it make you feel?
  • How did the argument end?

Without sharing the identifying details of the argument/disagreement in pairs or as a whole class, think a bit further about the same argument/disagreement by discussing these follow-up questions:

  • Was the argument productive?
  • Did anything good come out of it? If so, what?
  • Did anything bad come out of it? If so, what?
  • Would you do or say something differently if you had the chance?

#5: Review and Response

  1. King Solomon asked God to give him wisdom. What exactly is wisdom and how can it help someone be a better leader? How can you “get wisdom” each and every day?
  2. What is your definition of “Disagreement for the Sake of Heaven”?
  3. What are the 4 ways in which Hillel and Shammai gave for “Disagreement for the Sake of Heaven”? How can we use these guidelines for when we hear or are a part of a disagreement?

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