I Kings 10 · Parenting voice, Bite-sized

Insight

The Queen of Sheba didn’t travel across the world just for gold; she traveled because she heard Solomon’s wisdom was "for the sake of G-d" (I Kings 10:1). Traditional commentators like Ralbag note that while others used their intellect for ego or worldly gain, Solomon channeled his knowledge into justice, righteousness, and a connection to the Divine. As parents, we often feel the pressure to "test" our kids with grades and achievements. This week, remember that true wisdom—the kind worth modeling—isn't about being the smartest in the room; it’s about using whatever "gold" (talents) we have to serve something bigger than ourselves.

Text Snapshot

"She came to test him with hard questions... Solomon had answers for all her questions; there was nothing that the king did not know." — I Kings 10:1-3

Activity

The "Hard Question" Exchange (5-10 mins): Sit with your child and invite them to ask you one "impossible" question (e.g., "Why do people die?" or "Why is there sadness?"). Commit to answering with absolute honesty, even if the answer is "I don't know, but here is what I believe." Then, swap roles. This builds the vulnerability Solomon showed when engaging with the Queen.

Script

When your child asks a "tough" question you aren't ready for: "That is a deep, beautiful question, and I don’t have a simple answer. Let’s sit with that for a bit—I love that you’re curious about the world. Can we talk about it more at dinner?"

Habit

The "Why" Micro-Habit: Once a day, when you ask your child to do something (like brushing teeth or helping), add: "Because this helps us take care of our home/body, which is a gift from G-d." Connect the mundane to the meaningful.

Takeaway

You don't need a palace of gold to be wise. Modeling how to use your own talents for kindness and integrity is the greatest lesson you can offer your children.