The Kingdom Splits for Kids: The Bible Story Explained Simply

Series: Solomon and the Kingdom (Episode 08 of 10) | Scripture: 1 Kings | Ages 7+

The Kingdom Splits is a Bible story from 1 Kings in the Old Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

Watch the Full Story of The Kingdom Splits

Watch The Kingdom Splits in our 60-second video lesson. Your child can follow along and take a quiz after to check what they learned.

Watch "The Kingdom Splits" on Faithful Kids

Part of our Solomon and the Kingdom series, 10 episodes covering wisdom, worship, consequences, choices.

What Is the Story of The Kingdom Splits for Kids?

SOLOMON & THE KINGDOM — Episode 8: The Kingdom Splits Bible Reference: 1 Kings 12 Series: Solomon & the Kingdom

Hey — welcome back. Last episode, Solomon drifted from God. God said the kingdom would be torn apart. Well, today? It happens.

Solomon dies. His son Rehoboam takes the throne. But the people have a request. Solomon's massive building projects came at a cost — heavy taxes, forced labor. They were exhausted.

They say: "Your father put a heavy yoke on us. Lighten the load, and we'll serve you faithfully." Fair, right?

This story comes from 1 Kings and is part of the Old Testament.

What Does the Story of The Kingdom Splits Teach Children?

The story of The Kingdom Splits teaches children important lessons about wisdom, worship, consequences, choices:

• This story teaches children about wisdom in a way they can understand
• God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
• Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world

Key Bible Verse

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart." — Proverbs 3:5

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

What did the people of Israel ask Rehoboam to do when he became king?

The people were exhausted from Solomon's heavy taxes and forced labor. They asked Rehoboam for a lighter load, promising they would serve him faithfully in return. It was a reasonable request.

Whose advice did Rehoboam follow?

Rehoboam rejected the wise counsel of his father's experienced advisors — who told him to be kind — and instead listened to his young friends, who told him to be even harsher than Solomon. It was a catastrophic choice.

What happened after Rehoboam's harsh response to the people?

Ten tribes rebelled and formed the Northern Kingdom (Israel) under Jeroboam. Only Judah and Benjamin stayed with Rehoboam in the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The united kingdom was permanently torn apart.

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

1. What was your favorite part of the story of The Kingdom Splits?
2. What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
3. How can we be more like The in our own lives?
4. If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
5. What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Solomon and the Kingdom Series

This story is episode 08 of 10 in the Solomon and the Kingdom series:

• Solomon Asks for Wisdom for Kids
• Solomons Wise Judgment for Kids
• Building the Temple for Kids
• The Temple is Dedicated for Kids
• The Queen of Sheba for Kids
• Solomons Proverbs for Kids
• Solomon Turns Away for Kids
• Good Kings and Bad Kings for Kids
• The Northern Kingdom Falls for Kids

400+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 400+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is 60 seconds, designed for kids Ages 7+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of The Kingdom Splits about for kids?

The Kingdom Splits is a story from 1 Kings. SOLOMON & THE KINGDOM — Episode 8: The Kingdom Splits Bible Reference: 1 Kings 12 Series: Solomon & the Kingdom

What age is the story of The Kingdom Splits appropriate for?

This retelling of The Kingdom Splits is designed for children Ages 7+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is 60 seconds long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is The Kingdom Splits found in the Bible?

The Kingdom Splits is found in 1 Kings in the Old Testament. It is part of the Solomon and the Kingdom series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of The Kingdom Splits for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a 60-second video retelling of The Kingdom Splits designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use The Kingdom Splits for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the 60-second Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does The Kingdom Splits teach kids?

The story of The Kingdom Splits teaches children about wisdom, worship, consequences, choices. This story teaches children about wisdom in a way they can understand.