Lillenas®
Drama Presents
A Real Wise Guy
from Act & React
By Kevin Stone
Purpose: To point out our natural lack of wisdom.
To focus on the Lord as the Giver of true wisdom.
To state that godly wisdom is to be desired above all earthly treasures.
Characters:
SOLOMON: the king is energetic, even at bedtime. He makes a great show of his
writing skills, which, alas, are nil.
ABITHAR: the stiff-backed, slow-talking “butler” type. Very proper, except for a
fear of mice.
VOICE OF GOD: a voice-over from off stage. He is patient and kind with His
servant.
Props:
Couch or bench
Pillow and blanket
Pen and paper
Teddy bear
Comic books
S
M
A
N
P
O
T
E
L
PR
IN
T
Production Notes:
A comedy sketch based on 1 Kings 3:4-15. The story is well-known but
its message largely ignored.
The music or sound effects are optional; they give a nice impression that
something special has happened.
D
O
Playing Time: 7-8 minutes
(SOLOMON and ABITHAR enter.)
SOLOMON (stretching): Oh-ho-hum! What a day, Abithar!
ABITHAR (very proper): Yes, Your Highness. The day has indeed been most taxing.
SOLOMON (confused): Abithar? We don’t have to pay taxes. I’m the king.
ABITHAR: A poor selection of words, Your Highness.
SOLOMON (starts taking off his shoes): Ah, I love Gibeon! We should come here
more often to worship the Lord. Don’t you agree? (He tosses a shoe SR.)
ABITHAR (going to pick up the shoe): Indubitably.
SOLOMON: A whole day, just worshiping the Lord! (He tosses the other shoe in
the opposite direction.)
ABITHAR (retrieving the other shoe): Quite invigorating, Your Highness.
“A Real Wise Guy” is taken from Act & React. Copyright © 1998 by Kevin Stone. All print rights administered by Lillenas® Publishing Co. All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States.
SOLOMON: It’s a shame we have to go back tomorrow. Oh, and Abithar—
ABITHAR: Your Highness?
SOLOMON: That. You can quit calling me that. I’m just a servant of the Lord
too.
ABITHAR: I shall endeavor to comply, Your Hi—er, King Solomon.
SOLOMON: Better. As soon as the Temple is built, we won’t be coming to
Gibeon to offer sacrifices. Our worship can be centered right in Jerusalem!
ABITHAR: As much as I enjoy traveling, King Solomon, the thought of the
house of God in Jerusalem is refreshing indeed.
E
L
SOLOMON: Yeah. The Temple just belongs in Jerusalem. Ah, one of these days!
(Stands) Like I always say— (ABITHAR quickly gets out a pen and paper.)
“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts—uh . . . thy
thoughts!—” Huh. That thought slipped me.
P
ABITHAR (putting the paper away): Writer’s block, perhaps?
M
A
IN
T
SOLOMON: I always have some kind of block! But thanks, anyway. If we can
track down those elusive little ideas, someday we’ll have enough to
make a book! “The Sayings of Solomon!” . . . or, maybe just “Proverbs.”
PR
T
O
else you want! Like I always say!—
S OLOMON : Oh, sure, and anything N
(ABITHAR retrieves paper as SO
OLOMON makes a great show of his creativity.)
—“A soft answer turnethDaway . . . A soft answer turneth away . . .”
S
ABITHAR: I shall receive an autographed copy, I trust.
(Thinks hard, then brightens) . . . Apples of gold in settings of silver! A soft
answer turneth away apples of gold in settings of silver!” It fits! Write
that down, Abithar, before I forget.
ABITHAR: As you wish . . . (Writes it down obediently as SOLOMON gives a long,
loud yawn) Does the king request anything before he slumbers?
SOLOMON: No, Abithar. Thanks. (He sits on bed.)
ABITHAR: Very well, King Solomon. (He starts to leave.)
SOLOMON (stands): You know, Abithar, you do so much for me . . . you . . . well,
like I always say, “As iron sharpeneth iron, So a man sharpeneth . . . his
pencil”—or something like that. Did you write that down?
ABITHAR: I shall. A very pleasant evening, Sire. (Exit)
SOLOMON: Oh! All this proverb-writing makes me tired! (Starts looking around
for something) Now, where did it go? (Starts getting frantic) It was here . . .
Abithar! Abithar!
“A Real Wise Guy” is taken from Act & React. Copyright © 1998 by Kevin Stone. All print rights administered by Lillenas® Publishing Co. All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States.
(ABITHAR enters, carrying a teddy bear.)
SOLOMON (taking the bear and trying to maintain a dignified mien): Uh, thank
you, Abithar. Good night.
(ABITHAR exits. SOLOMON lies down and cuddles bear.)
VOICE (offstage): Solomon!
SOLOMON (without rising): Go away! I’m trying to sleep!
VOICE: Solomon!
SOLOMON (sits up): Abithar! No more proverbs tonight! You’ll just have to
wait until morning! (Lies down)
VOICE: Solomon!
E
L
SOLOMON (rises slowly, fearfully): Abithar? Is that you? It didn’t sound like
you! . . . (He pulls covers up over his head and trembles.) Who’s there?
P
VOICE (sigh): I went through the same thing with Samuel. It’s Me, Solomon,
the Lord.
M
A
T
SOLOMON (uncovers head): The Lord? In my room? I didn’t recognize You.
(Quickly jumps out of bed and straightens the room) Sorry about the mess,
Lord. Abithar’s not too handy with a broom yet, if You know what I
mean.
S
O
T
PR
IN
VOICE: I’ve already seen the room, Solomon . . . (SOLOMON freezes in a tall
standing position, hiding comic books behind his back.) . . . Including the
comic books.
N
O
D
SOLOMON (reveals the books with a sheepish grin): Conan the Canaanite . . .
(Gives them a toss)
VOICE: Solomon, if you could have anything you wanted, what would you
ask for?
SOLOMON: Anything? Anything at all?
VOICE: Your only limit is your imagination.
SOLOMON (incredulous): Lord, You’ve already been so good! First to my father,
David, and now to me—You’ve made me king over Your great nation!
So many people, I can’t even count them all!
V OICE : I always reward faithfulness in My servants. What will it be,
Solomon? Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye shall find.
SOLOMON (pacing as he thinks): Wow, what do I need? Money? . . . Nah, I’ve
got enough toys already . . . A long life?—A long life won’t shorten eternity . . . Popularity?—Oh, Lord, the whole world could be pleased with
me— (Stops DSC and looks up) But if You aren’t pleased, then I’ve wasted
“A Real Wise Guy” is taken from Act & React. Copyright © 1998 by Kevin Stone. All print rights administered by Lillenas® Publishing Co. All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States.
my life. (He kneels.) I’ve never been a king before. It’s hard to believe I
am one. Millions of people are looking to me for guidance; where can I
look, but up? . . . I’m a child, Father . . . Your child . . . and I need Your
wisdom. (Pause) Wisdom! That’s my request, Lord! A heart full of understanding! . . . Make me a wise and humble servant.
(He bows his head; music up or SFX of blowing wind; SOLOMON slowly raises his
head; music can end now or can continue through the end of the sketch.)
SOLOMON (standing): Abithar! Abithar, come here, quickly!
ABITHAR (enters sleepily): Yes, Your Hi—I mean, Mr. Solomon?
SOLOMON: Abithar! Guess who was here!
E
L
A BITHAR (after a terror-stricken pause, he jumps on the bed): Aaa! Not that
wretched mouse again!
SOLOMON: No, no! The Lord was here! El-nathan! [EL-naw-THAWN] The
Giver of wisdom! Do you have your pen? (ABITHAR digs it out.)
Blessed is the man that finds wisdom,
And the man that getteth understanding.
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
Aha! So much for writer’s block!
S
M
A
N
P
O
T
PR
IN
T
O
D
ABITHAR: Now I’m worried about writer’s cramp.
SOLOMON: Just keep writing! “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding!” (SOLOMON
begins to exit; ABITHAR remains intent on writing.) “Trust in the Lord with
all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding!” (ABITHAR
notices SOLOMON leaving and hurries to catch up.) “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths!”
(They exit; music out.)
“A Real Wise Guy” is taken from Act & React. Copyright © 1998 by Kevin Stone. All print rights administered by Lillenas® Publishing Co. All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States.
The purchase of this sketch entitles the purchaser to make photocopies of this material for use in their church or nonprofit organization. The sharing of this material
with other churches or organizations not owned or controlled by the original purchaser is strictly prohibited. The contents of this sketch may not be reproduced
in any other form without written permission from the publisher. Please include the copyright statement found below on each copy made.
Questions? Please write, call, or E-mail:
Lillenas® Publishing Company
Drama Resources
P.O. Box 419527
Kansas City, MO 64141
Phone: 816-931-1900
Fax: 816-412-8390
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.lillenasdrama.com
The sketch collection Act & React (MP-800) is available for purchase from Lillenas® Drama or from your local Christian bookstore.
For a full description of the rest of this collection, or to purchase other individual sketches, refer to
www.lillenasdrama.com
S
M
A
D
O
N
P
O
T
E
L
PR
IN
T
“A Real Wise Guy” is taken from Act & React. Copyright © 1998 by Kevin Stone. All print rights administered by Lillenas® Publishing Co. All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States.