1 Kings 3:25
◄  1 Kings 3:25  ►
New International Version (©2011)
He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then he said, "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!"

English Standard Version (©2001)
And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Solomon said, "Cut the living boy in two and give half to one and half to the other."

International Standard Version (©2012)
"Divide the living child in two!" he ordered. "Give half to the one and half to the other."

NET Bible (©2006)
The king then said, "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one and half to the other!"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
he said, "Cut the living child in two. Give half to the one and half to the other."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

American King James Version
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

American Standard Version
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

Darby Bible Translation
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

English Revised Version
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

World English Bible
The king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other."

Young's Literal Translation
and the king saith, 'Cut the living child into two, and give the half to the one, and the half to the other.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:16-28 An instance of Solomon's wisdom is given. Notice the difficulty of the case. To find out the true mother, he could not try which the child loved best, and therefore tried which loved the child best: the mother's sincerity will be tried, when the child is in danger. Let parents show their love to their children, especially by taking care of their souls, and snatching them as brands out of the burning. By this and other instances of the wisdom with which God endued him, Solomon had great reputation among his people. This was better to him than weapons of war; for this he was both feared and loved.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other [Heb. one].

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the king said,.... To one of his officers:

divide the living child in two; not that he meant it should be actually done, though it might at first be thought he really intended it, and so strike the minds of some with horror, as it did, however, the mother; but he ordered this, to try the affections of the women, and thereby come to the true knowledge of the affair; though, some think he knew it before by their countenances and manner of speech, but that he was desirous all present might see it, and be satisfied of it:

and give half to the one, and half to the other; since both claimed it.

1 Kings 3:25 Parallel Commentaries

1 Kings 3:25 NIV
1 Kings 3:25 NLT
1 Kings 3:25 ESV
1 Kings 3:25 NASB
1 Kings 3:25 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Solomon Judges Wisely
…24And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 26Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned on her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither my nor yours, but divide it. …

1 Kings 3:24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king.
1 Kings 3:26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!" But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"