For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
Solomon's son becomes king and faces one big choice: will he be kind to his people, or bossy? His answer changes everything.
Today's Story
After Solomon, his son Rehoboam was going to be the new king. The people came to him with a simple request: “Your father made us work very hard. Please be a little gentler with us, and we will gladly serve you.”
Rehoboam asked the wise old advisors what to do. “Be kind to them,” they said. “Speak gently, and they will serve you forever.”
But Rehoboam didn't like that answer. So he asked his young friends instead, and they puffed him up. “Show them who's boss! Tell them you'll be even harder than your father!”
And that's the foolish answer Rehoboam chose. He spoke to his people harshly and proudly.
It broke everything apart. The people were so upset that most of them walked away and made a different man their king. From that day on, there were two kingdoms instead of one. A few proud, unkind words had split a whole nation in two.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Rehoboam got two kinds of advice. How can you tell wise advice from foolish advice?
- Harsh words split a whole kingdom apart. Have you ever seen unkind words start a big fight? What happened?
- What is a gentle, kind way you could answer someone today, even if you're a little annoyed?