He was the son of David and Bathsheba.   As a young man, he loved the Lord, and he walked within the guidance of David his father.   At a very young age, he became the king of his land, and many felt he would become a strong and influential leader.

Soon after he was crowned, he had a dream in which God said to him, "Ask whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."

Imagine how surprised and bewildered he must have been to consider how he would reply to such an offer!

"Give me wisdom, that I may know how to judge this great nation," he replied.

God was pleased at his answer.   "Because you didn't ask for riches, honor, or the life of your enemies, neither long life for yourself, I am going to give you wisdom," answered Jehovah.   "But I will also give you riches and honor greater than any of the kings before you have had, and, if you keep my commandments, I will give you a long life, as well."

The young man had chosen the best gift.   He prospered.   He became known as the wisest of all men; he became richer than all men; and he gained more fame than any one else in the world!

Do you remember who this king was?   Type your answer into the box and press the answer button to see if you do!

  


The young man really became a very wise king!   Many people still talk about one of the early tests he had when he began to govern.

The Queen of Sheba wanted to see just how well the new king could handle hard questions.   Two women were brought before him, for no one seemed to be able to solve the problem between them.   Both women claimed the same child as their own, because one of theirs had died.

The Holy Bible recounts what happened next.   "The king said, 'Let's get the facts straight: both of you claim the living child, and each says that the dead child belongs to the other.   All right, bring me a sword.'   So a sword was brought to the king.   Then he said, 'Divide the living child in two and give half to each of these women!'

"Then the woman who really was the mother of the child, and who loved him very much, cried out, 'Oh, no, sir! Give her the child ~ ~ don't kill him!'

"But the other woman said, 'All right, it will be neither yours nor mine; divide it between us!'

"Then the king said, 'Give the baby to the woman who wants him to live, for she is the mother!' "

There are many other things to tell about this king!

People of all lands came to hear the wisdom of this king.   They would often ask his thoughts about certain subjects.   Then they would listen closely to the answer, and they usually followed his advice.

It is said that he mastered the language of animals.   He was able to communicate with and hold in his sway the demons and their chief, Asmodeus.

Much of his wisdom is recorded in 3,000 proverbs and over 1,000 songs found in the Bible.

The king spent seven years building a magnificent and world- renowned temple to God.

And it is said that the king made well over 1,000 burnt offerings upon the altar to God, for he loved the Lord.

And many scholars say that . . .

he wrote the Biblical books of Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes.


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