Day 16: King Solomon

Tonight we lit the 3rd Advent wreath candle because we missed it last night. This 3rd candle represented a 3rd means of God's illumination of Himself to us- through the prophets. This goes well since we will be talking about the prophets this week like Isaiah and Elijah.

Day 16: Wise King Solomon

David's son Solomon was chosen to become the next king after David's death. One night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered him anything he asked for. Solomon (wisely) asked for wisdom to rule over the people well. The Lord blessed him with riches as well. Solomon, as a king of peace, unlike David, was also allowed to build God's temple. But we talked about how he possessed God's wisdom and the world's wisdom, which led him to marry foreign wives and serve false gods. Wisdom the world gives, does not lead us in prosperous ways either.


The felt and paper ornaments are of  Solomon's ruling over 2 women fighting for one child. Our 4 year old asked how their babies could look so much alike that they got confused (not understanding one had died). The crown we split like suggested in the story of the mothers, and represents his kingdom and riches. After his death, his kingdom would be divided.


If you are following along with the Bible in Stories - summarizing pages 292-309
If using the Bible or another Bible reader - summarize 1 Kings 1-11

Day 15: David

We have begun a new element this week of asking that they each ask a question after the reading. I am enjoying this addition to Advent, with them listening well and asking good questions, like about Why David cut off a piece of Saul's robe? And about his slingshot.

They brought their dog family to Advent tonight.

Day 15: David
Tonight we covered the life of David, his unlikely anointing, his job as musician for Saul after already being anointed as the next king, his defeat of Goliath putting him at odds with Saul, and later his assuming the crown after Saul and Jonathan's death. Overall, David was a king that loved and feared the Lord. The paper ornament shows his slingshot, my felt ornament is of his sack and smooth stones and the chocolates are "Stars of David". We want to teach them about harmonizing with our singing too, so we sang along with Nat King Cole's classic "Joy to the World" tonight, trying to sing parts with him and hearing better music than my piano playing. 

If you are following along with the Bible in Stories -  telling by the pictures, pages 244-275

If using the Bible or another Bible reader - summarize 1 Samuel 16- 2 Samuel 3

"Joy to the World" accompanied by Nat King Cole