Saturday, April 21, 2012

Solomon's Sins: A to Z Blogging Challenge!


It's about time to share a portion of a Non-fiction picture book for older children which I wrote last year.  It's entitled, "You're on the Wrong Road, Solomon!"


It is based, of course, on the Biblical account of King Solomon in the book of I Kings, and is in keeping with the language and flavor of Old Testament times.



Here's the excerpt:


     Solomon, King of Israel, began his life and rule on the narrow road.  It was God and Solomon...room for two.


     "What would you like me to grant you, Solomon?" God asked the young king.
     Solomon remembered his father's words.  "Continue to walk in God's path, and obey Him, and He will surely bless you.  Then you will always have a son on the throne to rule Israel."
    King Solomon thought for awhile, and then gave God his answer.  "I am young, and your people are many.  Give me an understanding heart to discern right from wrong, so I can rule your people well."


     That answer pleased God, so He not only granted the new king a heart of wisdom, but riches and honor as well.  "There will not be another king like you in all your days," He promised.  "If you walk in My ways, as your father David, I will give you long life."


     Solomon's wisdom was soon put to the test.  


     One day two women, who had given birth to baby boys, came begging for justice. 
     "This woman and I each gave birth to a baby boy," one of the women said.  "In the middle of the night, she rolled over onto her son, and smothered him.  In the morning, she placed him by my side, and she took my son in his place."


     "No!" said the second woman.  She is lying...the baby is mine!"


     What should be done?  This was a hard task...but not too hard for Solomon.  "Bring me a sword," the King said to his servant.  All eyes were on Solomon.  A sword?  What was he thinking?
King Solomon
     Soon Solomon declared his intentions, and spoke to the servant holding the sword.  "Cut the baby in two, and give half to each mother," he said with confidence.


     A gasp was heard throughout the room!  "No," said the first woman, "please don't!  Spare the child's life and give him to the other woman."
Yes, yes," said the second woman. "Give us each half, for that is fair."


     "Ah ha!" exclaimed Solomon.  "Now I know to whom this baby boy truly belongs.  Give him to the first woman, for she is his mother."  What a wise King!  And Solomon continued down the narrow road His God had paved for him...


   Solomon obeyed and continued down God's straight and narrow path, prospering because of it.  But, his wife, the daughter of Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, did not believe in the one true God.  She worshipped many false gods on high places.  Many stones were found on Solomon's path, which caused him to stumble.


     One day, the Queen of Sheba came to witness Solomon's wisdom, and see his wealth and possessions for herself.  She came with camels bearing spices, with gold and precious jewels.  One question after another flowed from her lips, and the King answered them all!  


     When she discovered his wisdom, observed the house he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the cupbearers and the attendance of his waiters and their attire, and the stairway by which he went into the house of the Lord, it took her breath away!


     "How blessed you are, Solomon," the Queen of Sheba said, "and your servants and people as well.  God has shown them favor because of your wise words and ways!" She could see that blessing comes with wisdom.


  Even though God warned him, Solomon married more women from far away countries, where they knew nothing of the God of the Israelites.  They also worshipped and sacrificed to false gods, who could not see or hear.  Great festivals were held in their honor.  Since Solomon loved his wives, he wanted to please them, so he began to worship these gods, too. In his heart, he knew this was wrong.  He wanted to be faithful to the one true God.


     Solomon's path became broken down in places.  Sometimes, he took his eyes off the path.  It would widen a bit, and he would trip and almost fall...





That's not the end of the story!  Do you want to read more, or, have you had enough?  I'd love to hear your comments... both constructive criticism and praise.


Thanks for your help...we are all on a learning curve!


photo credit: Phillip Ratner: http://www.ratnermuseum.com/israelbiblemuseum/virtual/heroes/img0023.htm

30 comments:

  1. I like your story. Solomon was a wise man. Too bad he got mixed up with all those heathen women.

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    1. You are right, Sherry, that was Solomon's downfall! Thanks for your comment...I appreciate it.

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  2. Sounds like an interesting project!

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    1. Thanks, Tony...it's a little different from all the others. I wanted to share something of my writing, since this is a Writer's blog! Thanks for stopping by...

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  3. You've found some great subjects to blog about during the a to z challenge. Thanks for stopping by for my "R" post.

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn...I love variety, and I think it shows! I appreciate your comment...and your visit.

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  4. I think biblical fiction books are so important to familiarize kids to the great stories. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy A to Z-ing.

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  5. Vicki - I really enjoyed reading this and I did want there to be more! It moved along at a nice pace and kept me interested to find out what happens next. This story has just the right amount of detail and description in my opinion. It would be a good story for my daughter Olivia (she's 6). Nice work.

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    1. I appreciate your 'thumbs up' daisy...I'm glad you think your daughter would enjoy it. You can never begin to early with Bible stories. They have such great lessons for us all!

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  6. Another winner, Jarm. Not that there is any competition! I do enjoy your writing.

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    1. I appreciate your words of encouragement, Pat...I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  7. That was an interesting post to read :)

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    1. I'm glad you took the time to stop by and read it!

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  8. Oh, I remember in Sunday school when my sunday school teacher used to tell us stories. King Solomon's where he uses his wisdom to decide which woman is telling the truth was my favourite. :) Thank you for this story. Thanks for stopping by my S post.
    Have a great weekend!
    Cecilia

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    1. Yes, that was a favorite part with me, too, Cecelia...I always wished to have the wisdom of Solomon!

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  9. So true about 'learning geography and history on location'...Nice of you to drop by my blog.

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    1. You are welcome, Fidel...thanks for stopping by mine!

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  10. Yes! I want to hear more. You did a nice job with the dialogue. Very well done.

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    1. Thanks for your appraisal, Holly...now I need to find the appropriate publisher to submit the story!

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  11. Jarm,

    Wonderful! You had me hooked and kept me hooked and yes, I want to read more! Well done!

    Best regards,
    Donna

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    1. I'm pleased to know you did not find it laborious to read...thanks for your assessment, Donna!

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  12. Thanks for the follow. I'm now following back.

    Solomon has always been one of my favorite characters of the Bible. He was so gifted and blessed and yet like so many others managed to screw up in a big way. He left a great legacy.


    Lee
    A Few Words
    An A to Z Co-host blog
    My Main blog is Tossing It Out

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    1. Welcome, Arlee...good to have you aboard! Yes, if for no other reason, We can learn from Solomon's choices, and make wiser ones...

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  13. And I do want to read more! We are all on a learning curve. I have no idea of Bible stories, brought up Russian Orthodox, we really did not have "Sunday School." So I will take your course and enjoy your present and past blogs.

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  14. I want to hear more. Solomon is such an amazing biblical persona; but just like any person, has his flaws. Again we see where God still uses flawed people to do incredible, splendid works; even though before and after they still may make poor choices. He takes the simple and confounds the wise. Good stuff.

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    1. Yes, Elizabeth...it's good to know that God can use even our disasters for His glory!

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  15. I love it! It's such a fabulous story to write a picture book about. Nice job!

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    1. Thanks, Peggy...I'm glad you enjoyed it. Solomon is definitely a 'colorful' man!

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I would love to have you comment...thanks!

Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel