◄ 1 Kings 3:25 ►
and the king declared, "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."
Study Bible
He then declared
This phrase introduces the decisive moment in King Solomon's judgment. The Hebrew root for "declared" is "אָמַר" (amar), which means to say, speak, or command. In the context of ancient Israel, a king's word was authoritative and carried the weight of law. Solomon's declaration is not just a statement but a command that reveals his wisdom and authority as a ruler appointed by God.

Cut the living child in two
The shocking nature of this command is intentional. The Hebrew word for "cut" is "גָּזַר" (gazar), which means to divide or cut. This drastic measure is not meant to be carried out but serves as a test of the true mother's love. The phrase "living child" emphasizes the value of life and the gravity of the situation. Solomon's wisdom is demonstrated in his ability to discern the truth through such a provocative command.

and give half to one and half to the other
This part of the verse highlights the apparent fairness of the proposed solution, yet it is a test of the women's reactions. The Hebrew word for "give" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or bestow. Solomon's proposal seems to offer an equitable division, but it is designed to reveal the genuine maternal bond. The true mother would rather relinquish her claim than see her child harmed, showcasing the depth of a mother's love and the wisdom of Solomon in resolving disputes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Solomon
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. In this passage, he is the king who makes a wise judgment.

2. Two Women
These are the two mothers who come before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of the living child. Their dispute sets the stage for Solomon's demonstration of wisdom.

3. The Living Child
The infant who is the subject of the dispute between the two women. Solomon's proposed solution reveals the true mother.

4. Jerusalem
The city where Solomon's court is located, serving as the political and spiritual center of Israel during his reign.

5. The Court of Solomon
The setting for this event, where Solomon's wisdom is displayed publicly, establishing his reputation as a wise and discerning ruler.
Teaching Points
The Value of Godly Wisdom
Solomon's request for wisdom over wealth or power demonstrates the importance of prioritizing spiritual discernment in leadership and personal decisions.

The Heart's True Intentions
Solomon's test reveals the true intentions of the heart. In our lives, we should seek to understand the motivations behind our actions and those of others.

The Role of Justice in Leadership
Solomon's judgment underscores the necessity of justice and fairness in leadership. Leaders today should strive to make decisions that reflect God's justice.

Trusting God in Difficult Situations
The account encourages believers to trust God for wisdom in challenging situations, knowing that He can provide insight beyond human understanding.

The Power of Discernment
Discernment is crucial in resolving conflicts and understanding truth. Believers are called to develop discernment through prayer and study of the Scriptures.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9 relate to the outcome of this account, and what does it teach us about the importance of seeking wisdom from God?

2. In what ways can we apply Solomon's method of discerning truth to conflicts or disputes in our own lives?

3. How does the reaction of the true mother in this account illustrate the nature of sacrificial love, and how can we demonstrate this love in our relationships?

4. What are some modern-day examples where godly wisdom is needed in leadership, and how can we pray for our leaders to seek such wisdom?

5. How can we cultivate a heart that seeks justice and truth, as demonstrated by Solomon, in our daily interactions and decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 2:6
This verse highlights that wisdom comes from the Lord, connecting to Solomon's request for wisdom from God earlier in 1 Kings 3.

James 1:5
This New Testament verse encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, reflecting Solomon's example of seeking divine guidance.

Hebrews 4:12
The discerning nature of God's word is paralleled in Solomon's ability to discern the truth in the situation.
Sermons
The Prayer of Solomon and its FulfilmentE. De Pressense 1 Kings 3:3-16; 4:2-34
Administration of Justice Difficult1 Kings 3:16-28
Evil of DivisionsE. Thompson, D. D.1 Kings 3:16-28
Judgment Obtained by Appeal to the Principle of AffectionE. Thompson, D. D.1 Kings 3:16-28
The MotherA. Mursell.1 Kings 3:16-28
The True MotherR. Young, M. A.1 Kings 3:16-28
People
David, Gibeon, Pharaoh, Solomon
Places
Egypt, Gibeon, Jerusalem
Topics
Child, Cut, Divide, Half
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 3:25

     1657   numbers, fractions

1 Kings 3:16-27

     5383   lawsuits
     5834   disagreement

1 Kings 3:16-28

     5120   Solomon, character
     5652   babies
     8367   wisdom, importance of

1 Kings 3:24-25

     5811   compromise

1 Kings 3:24-28

     8228   discernment, examples

Library
A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom
'In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto Thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7. And now, O Lord my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," &c. This is a part of Christ's long sermon. He is dissuading his disciples and the people from carnal carefulness and worldly mindedness. The sermon holds out the Christian's diverse aspects towards spiritual and external things. What is the Christian's disposition in regard to the world, how should he look upon food, raiment, and all things necessary in this life? "Be careful for nothing." "Take no thought for your life, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Whether the Degrees of Prophecy Change as Time Goes On?
Objection 1: It would seem that the degrees of prophecy change as time goes on. For prophecy is directed to the knowledge of Divine things, as stated above [3690](A[2]). Now according to Gregory (Hom. in Ezech.), "knowledge of God went on increasing as time went on." Therefore degrees of prophecy should be distinguished according to the process of time. Objection 2: Further, prophetic revelation is conveyed by God speaking to man; while the prophets declared both in words and in writing the things …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Letter Lxxiv. To Rufinus of Rome.
Rufinus, a Roman Presbyter (to be carefully distinguished from Rufinus of Aquileia and Rufinus the Syrian), had written to Jerome for an explanation of the judgment of Solomon (1 Kings iii. 16-28). This Jerome gives at length, treating the narrative as a parable and making the false and true mothers types of the Synagogue and the Church. The date of the letter is 398 a.d. …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Love is the Touchstone by which the Reality of Truth is Perceived...
1. Love is the touchstone by which the reality of truth is perceived, and by it shall all men know that ye are My disciples (John xiii.35). I also make use of the sword of justice, so that at first sight some are inclined to think that, like Solomon, I intend to finish My work without mercy (1 Kings iii.16-28), but My object, like his, is to apply the touchstone of love which will bring out the truth, and show that you are the children of that God of Love who gave His life to save yours. You ought …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

The Song of Solomon.
An important link in the chain of the Messianic hopes is formed by the Song of Solomon. It is intimately associated with Ps. lxxii., which was written by Solomon, and represents the Messiah as the Prince of Peace, imperfectly prefigured by Solomon as His type. As in this Psalm, so also in the Song of Solomon, the coming of the Messiah forms the subject throughout, and He is introduced there under the name of Solomon, the Peaceful One. His coming shall be preceded by severe afflictions, represented …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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