So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She laid him in her bosom and put her dead son at my bosom. So she got up in the middle of the nightThe accusation places the act under cover of darkness, when the sleeping mother was unable to protect or observe her child. Night heightens the secrecy of the alleged exchange, though Solomon must still determine whether the testimony is true. Rut 3:8 At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over,…
Mat 25:6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom!…
Exo 12:29 Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male…
and took my son from my side while I was asleep. The child had been lying beside his mother, where she could nurse and care for him. The alleged removal was not merely theft but a violation of a mother’s most intimate trust and responsibility. Gen 2:21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep,…
1Sa 26:12 So David took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head,…
Jdg 16:19 And having lulled him to sleep on her lap,…
She laid him in her bosom By placing the living child against herself, the other woman claimed the place and affection belonging to the true mother. The dispute centered not only on possession of the child but on the identity of the one to whom he truly belonged. Rut 4:16 And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap,…
1Ki 17:19 But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.”…
Num 11:12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth,…
and put her dead son at my bosom. The exchange would have left the innocent mother to awaken in grief and confusion while the deceiving woman kept the living child. Solomon’s judgment would reveal the truth through the self-sacrificing love of the real mother, anticipating the perfect justice of the Lord, who knows every heart and brings hidden deeds to light. Luk 7:12-15 As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man…
1Ki 17:17-23 Later, the son of the woman who owned the house…
2Ki 4:32-37 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy…
Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel known for his wisdom, who is approached by two women with a dispute over a living child. 2. Two WomenBoth are described as harlots, living in the same house, each having given birth to a son around the same time. 3. The Living ChildThe subject of the dispute between the two women, representing the true mother's claim. 4. The Dead ChildThe child who died during the night, leading to the switch and subsequent dispute. 5. The Royal CourtThe setting where King Solomon hears the case and makes his wise judgment. Teaching Points The Value of WisdomSolomon's ability to discern the truth in a complex situation highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in our own lives. The Sanctity of LifeThe account underscores the preciousness of life and the deep bond between a mother and her child. Truth and JusticeThe account illustrates the necessity of truthfulness and the pursuit of justice, even when the truth is difficult to discern. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsSolomon's wise judgment reflects God's sovereign hand in guiding leaders to administer justice. The Role of DiscernmentBelievers are called to develop discernment, seeking God's guidance to navigate complex moral and ethical dilemmas. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's request for wisdom earlier in 1 Kings 3 prepare him for this moment of judgment? 2. In what ways can we seek God's wisdom in our daily decision-making processes? 3. How does the account of the two women and the living child illustrate the importance of truth in our relationships? 4. What can we learn from Solomon's approach to resolving conflict that can be applied to conflicts in our own lives? 5. How do the themes of justice and truth in this passage connect to the broader biblical account of God's character? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:16This verse, part of the Ten Commandments, emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, which is central to the dispute between the two women. Proverbs 3:5-6These verses highlight the importance of trusting in the Lord and not leaning on one's own understanding, which Solomon exemplifies by seeking divine wisdom. James 1:5This verse encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, reflecting Solomon's earlier request for wisdom from God. Psalm 139:13-16These verses speak to God's intimate knowledge of us from the womb, underscoring the value of life and the maternal bond. Matthew 7:7-8These verses about asking, seeking, and knocking relate to the pursuit of truth and justice, as demonstrated by Solomon's judgment. People David, Gibeon, Pharaoh, SolomonPlaces Egypt, Gibeon, JerusalemTopics Arms, Asleep, Beside, Bosom, Breast, Child, Dead, Got, Handmaid, Laid, Layeth, Maidservant, Middle, Midnight, Riseth, Servant, Sleeping, Slept, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 3:20 5140 breasts 1 Kings 3:16-27 5383 lawsuits
5834 disagreement 1 Kings 3:16-28 5120 Solomon, character
5652 babies
8367 wisdom, importance of 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 Links 1 Kings 3:20 NIV1 Kings 3:20 NLT1 Kings 3:20 ESV1 Kings 3:20 NASB1 Kings 3:20 KJV
1 Kings 3:20 Commentaries
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