Single lesson
Solomon's Reign Ends
1 Kings 11:41–43; 2 Chronicles 9:29–31
This lesson helps children read a short Bible summary carefully. These verses show that Solomon’s acts were recorded, that he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem over all Israel, that he was buried, and that Rehoboam reigned after him.
Before you teach
Both 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles end Solomon’s reign with a brief summary. Each says he reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years, then died and was buried in David’s city, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place. The two books also mention written records about Solomon.
Students will be able to put four stated details from these verses in order and retell them accurately from the text.
Welcome: Listen for the summary details
4 minTell the children that today’s reading is a short ending to Solomon’s reign. Explain that this passage gives a summary rather than many stories. Ask them to listen for four details: what was written about Solomon, how long he reigned, what happened when his reign ended, and who reigned after him.
1 Kings 11:41, 1 Kings 11:42, 1 Kings 11:43, 2 Chronicles 9:29, 2 Chronicles 9:30, 2 Chronicles 9:31
Read and explain: What the verses say about Solomon
8 minRead the verses aloud. Point out that 1 Kings mentions Solomon’s acts and wisdom being written, while 2 Chronicles mentions records connected with Nathan, Ahijah, and Iddo. Then note the shared summary in both books: Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
1 Kings 11:41, 1 Kings 11:42, 2 Chronicles 9:29, 2 Chronicles 9:30
Discuss: A short ending summary
6 minHelp the group notice what this passage actually gives. It does not describe Solomon’s choices here, and it does not add long explanation about God here. It gives a recorded summary of Solomon’s reign, its length, his death and burial, and Rehoboam reigning after him.
1 Kings 11:41, 1 Kings 11:42, 1 Kings 11:43, 2 Chronicles 9:29, 2 Chronicles 9:30, 2 Chronicles 9:31
Make and respond: Put the ending in order
8 minChildren make four simple sequence cards with words or drawings: records, forty years, buried in David’s city, Rehoboam reigns. As they place the cards in order, ask them to match each one to the verses. Point out that the passage names Solomon, David’s city, and Rehoboam, and shows the order from burial to Rehoboam reigning.
1 Kings 11:41, 1 Kings 11:42, 1 Kings 11:43, 2 Chronicles 9:29, 2 Chronicles 9:30, 2 Chronicles 9:31
Closing: Retell the passage carefully
4 minFinish by inviting the children to retell the summary in one or two sentences using the cards. Remind them that this brief ending mainly reports recorded facts: Solomon’s reign was forty years, he was buried in David’s city, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
1 Kings 11:42, 1 Kings 11:43, 2 Chronicles 9:30, 2 Chronicles 9:31
Questions to explore
What two things does 1 Kings say were part of what was written about Solomon?
Look for the line that names Solomon’s acts and his wisdom, and answer with those words from the verse.
1 Kings 11:41
How long did Solomon reign in Jerusalem over all Israel?
Both books give the same number, so check either verse and say it exactly as written.
1 Kings 11:42, 2 Chronicles 9:30
After Solomon was buried, who reigned in his place?
Use the name at the end of the summary and notice that he is called Solomon’s son.
1 Kings 11:43, 2 Chronicles 9:31
Make, think or respond
Four-Card Reign Sequence
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or textas
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Help each child make four cards labelled or drawn as: writings about Solomon, forty years, buried in David’s city, Rehoboam reigns.
- Read the verses again and ask the children to place the cards in the order the passage gives.
- Let children turn over each card and say one matching fact from the verse before moving to the next.
- If time allows, have pairs retell the whole passage using the four cards as prompts.
This activity follows the order of the passage and helps children remember the summary details about Solomon’s recorded acts, his forty-year reign, his burial, and Rehoboam reigning after him.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the four card labels in advance and let them add simple drawings before ordering them.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to compare 1 Kings 11:41 with 2 Chronicles 9:29, noticing that 1 Kings mentions Solomon’s acts and wisdom and the book of the acts of Solomon, while 2 Chronicles names Nathan, Ahijah, and Iddo as records about Solomon’s acts.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “God, thank you for your word. Please help us read carefully, remember what these verses say, and speak truthfully about what we learn.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Kings 11
41 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, aren’t they written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
42 The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
43 Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles 9
29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
31 Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.