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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 3:21 The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/3-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/11_1Ki_03_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 3:21 - Solomon Judges Wisely" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_kings/3-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_kings/3-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm" title="1 Kings 3:20">◄</a> 1 Kings 3:21 <a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm" title="1 Kings 3:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn&#8217t the son I had borne.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t my son at all.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead! But when I examined him closely in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead. But when I examined him carefully in the morning, behold, it was not my son, <i>the one</i> whom I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to."&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In the morning when I got up to feed my son, I saw that he was dead. But when I looked at him in the light, I knew he wasn't my son. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, he was dead! I took a good look at him and realized that he wasn't my son at all!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The next morning, when I woke up and was going to nurse my baby, I saw that it was dead. I looked at it more closely and saw that it was not my child." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The next morning, I got up to nurse my son, and he was dead. But when I examined him carefully in the light of day, he turned out not to be my son whom I had borne!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I got up in the morning to nurse my son, and there he was, dead! But when I examined him carefully in the morning, I realized it was not my baby."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, look, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, look, it was not my son, whom I bore."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I bore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead; but when I had looked at him in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and I rise in the morning to suckle my son, and behold, [he is] dead; and I consider in the morning concerning it, and behold, it was not my son whom I bore.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and I rise in the morning to suckle my son, and lo, dead; and I consider concerning it in the morning, and lo, it was not my son whom I did bear.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I shall rise in the morning to suckle my son, and behold, he was dead: and I shall attend to him in the morning, and behold, it was not my son that I brought forth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when I had arisen in the morning, so that I might give milk to my son, he appeared to be dead. But gazing upon him more diligently in the light of day, I realized that he was not mine, whom I had born.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I rose in the morning to nurse my son, and he was dead! But when I examined him in the morning light, I saw it was not the son I had borne.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, I saw that he was dead; but when I looked at him closely in the morning, clearly it was not the son I had borne.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, it was dead; but when I had examined it in the morning, behold, it was not my son which I had borne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I arose at dawn to suckle my son, and I saw he was dead, and I examined him at dawn, and he was not my son whom I delivered!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked well at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and I arose in the morning to suckle my son, and he was dead: and, behold, I considered him in the morning, and, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/3-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=1340" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Solomon Judges Wisely</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>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. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: bab·bō·qer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">The next morning,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: wā·’ā·qum (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">when I got up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3243.htm" title="3243: lə·hê·nîq (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To suck. A primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk.">to nurse</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">my son,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh- (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">I discovered</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">he was dead.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: bab·bō·qer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning."></a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: wā·’eṯ·bō·w·nên (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">But when I examined him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">I realized</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">that he was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yā·lā·ḏə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">I had borne.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>“No,” said the other woman, “the living one is my son and the dead one is your son.” But the first woman insisted, “No, the dead one is yours and the living one is mine.” So they argued before the king.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm">1 Kings 3:22-23</a></span><br />“No,” said the other woman, “the living one is my son and the dead one is your son.” But the first woman insisted, “No, the dead one is yours and the living one is mine.” So they argued before the king. / Then the king replied, “This woman says, ‘My son is alive and yours is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-24.htm">1 Kings 3:24-25</a></span><br />The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought him a sword, / and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-26.htm">1 Kings 3:26-27</a></span><br />Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” / Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-28.htm">1 Kings 3:28</a></span><br />When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-6.htm">Exodus 2:6</a></span><br />When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew children.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-15.htm">2 Samuel 12:15-18</a></span><br />After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. / David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">2 Kings 4:32-35</a></span><br />When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/3-16.htm">Job 3:16</a></span><br />Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-16</a></span><br />For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. / I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. / My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-15.htm">Jeremiah 31:15</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16-18</a></span><br />When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-10.htm">Matthew 18:10</a></span><br />See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-14.htm">Matthew 19:14</a></span><br />But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-13.htm">Mark 10:13-16</a></span><br />Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. / But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. / Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.</p><p class="hdg">give</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-7.htm">Genesis 21:7</a></b></br> And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born <i>him</i> a son in his old age.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/1-23.htm">1 Samuel 1:23</a></b></br> And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Lamentations 4:3,4</a></b></br> Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people <i>is become</i> cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-6.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-20.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Care</a> <a href="/ruth/2-8.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">Closely</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-9.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-21.htm">Considered</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-4.htm">Light</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-15.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-49.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-23.htm">Suck</a> <a href="/exodus/2-9.htm">Suckle</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/14-28.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-15.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-17.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/job/3-12.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-27.htm">Care</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/19-6.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-2.htm">Closely</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-8.htm">Considered</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-4.htm">Light</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-6.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-2.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-18.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-45.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/job/3-12.htm">Suck</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Suckle</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-10.htm">preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">Solomon's judgment makes him renowned</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son,</b><br>This phrase sets the scene in the early morning, a time often associated with new beginnings and revelations in the Bible. The act of nursing highlights the maternal bond and responsibility, reflecting the nurturing role of a mother. In ancient Israel, breastfeeding was a critical part of child-rearing, emphasizing the dependency of the child on the mother. This moment underscores the natural routine disrupted by an unexpected tragedy.<p><b>I discovered he was dead.</b><br>The discovery of the child's death introduces a dramatic and emotional turning point. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, the death of a child was a profound loss, often seen as a tragedy affecting the entire family and community. This moment of realization is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and the need for King Solomon's wisdom. The death also symbolizes the fragility of life and the suddenness with which circumstances can change.<p><b>But when I examined him,</b><br>The act of examination indicates a closer inspection, suggesting that the mother was attentive and discerning. This careful observation is crucial in the narrative, as it leads to the revelation of the truth. In biblical terms, examination often implies a search for truth or understanding, paralleling the spiritual discernment encouraged throughout Scripture.<p><b>I realized that he was not the son I had borne.”</b><br>This realization is the climax of the mother's discovery, highlighting her intimate knowledge of her child. The phrase underscores the theme of identity and truth, as the mother recognizes the deception. This moment foreshadows the wisdom of Solomon, who later discerns the true mother through a test of love and sacrifice. The narrative reflects the broader biblical theme of truth prevailing over deceit, and the importance of wisdom in discerning right from wrong.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The king of Israel known for his wisdom, who is presiding over the case.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/two_women.htm">Two Women</a></b><br>The central figures in this account, both claiming to be the mother of the living child.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_child.htm">The Child</a></b><br>The living child who is the subject of the dispute between the two women.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Solomon's court is located, and where this judgment takes place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_palace.htm">The Palace</a></b><br>The setting of the event, where Solomon hears the case and delivers his wise judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br>Solomon's ability to discern the truth in a difficult situation underscores the importance of seeking God's wisdom in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart's_true_intentions.htm">The Heart's True Intentions</a></b><br>The account reveals how true intentions are often revealed under pressure, encouraging us to examine our own hearts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>This account illustrates God's justice working through Solomon, reminding us that God is the ultimate judge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_discernment.htm">The Role of Discernment</a></b><br>Just as Solomon discerned the true mother, we are called to develop discernment in our spiritual and daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_a_mother's_love.htm">The Power of a Mother's Love</a></b><br>The true mother's willingness to give up her child to save him highlights the sacrificial nature of genuine love.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_solomon_solve_the_mothers'_dispute.htm">How did Solomon resolve the dispute between two mothers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_supports_jeremiah_21's_timeframe.htm">What scientific or historical data supports Jeremiah 21's timeframe and events, given the lack of external records mentioning these specific warnings to King Zedekiah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_benjamin's_lineages.htm">In 1 Chronicles 8:1-2, how can these names and lineages of Benjamin be reconciled with variations in other Old Testament genealogies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jesus_the_firstborn_of_creation.htm">Is Jesus considered the firstborn of creation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when I rose in the morning</span> [while it was still dusk] <span class="cmt_word">to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning</span> [<span class="accented">i.e.</span>, in broad daylight; Vulg. <span class="accented">clara luce</span>] <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>behold</span> [this second "behold" marks a second discovery] <span class="cmt_word">it was not my son which I did bear.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/3-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The next morning,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבֹּ֛קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(bab·bō·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dawn, morning</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when I got up</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאָקֻ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ā·qum)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to nurse</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהֵינִ֥יק</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hê·nîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3243.htm">Strong's 3243: </a> </span><span class="str2">To suck, to give milk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my son,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I discovered</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִנֵּה־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he was dead.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But when I examined him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֶתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’eṯ·bō·w·nên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I realized</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִנֵּ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that he was</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the son</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I had borne.”</span><br /><span class="heb">יָלָֽדְתִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·lā·ḏə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/3-21.htm">1 Kings 3:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/3-21.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 3:21 When I rose in the morning (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 3:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 3:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>